How Power Sidewall Roof Ventilation Works

Power sidewall roof ventilation is installed to protect the home from moisture and excessive attic heat, and to draw exhausted combustion products outside. It is considered to be cheaper and safer than chimney venting. This article covers how power sidewall roof ventilation works and lists some of its applications.

Why Choose Sidewall Roof Ventilation?

There are several instances in which you would choose to use sidewall roof ventilation. You can use it for attic ventilation or with your gas or oil furnace, boiler, or water heater. When you are converting your current system from electric to gas or oil, trying to avoid relining your chimney, or installing an additional heating apparatus, sidewall roof ventilation can come in handy. You can even use it when co-venting with a water heater and another device.

In the Attic

In the summer, heat can build up in attics, causing high energy costs due to excessive air conditioning. Also, moisture that is created in the home can move into the attic. If it is not properly ventilated, it can cause deterioration. Power roof ventilation in the attic can draw moisture and heat out.

Experts disagree whether it is in your best interest to use power attic ventilation, though. Some say it sucks the conditioned air from your house into your attic and can back-draft combustion gases back into your house. If you decide not to use sidewall roof ventilation in your attic, you can still use it with your appliances.

With Appliances

Appliances that use gas or oil heat through the burning of fuel. The heat these appliances make is conveyed through the heat exchanger and into your home. These products must be vented outside of your home or other space. With a chimney venting system, hot combustion gas is naturally lifted out of your home. A power ventilated system uses a power-driven blower to vent the gases. It is interlocked with the appliance to make sure that proper draft is realized before the appliance burner is set in motion.

When the thermostat demands heat, the power ventilator kicks into action. Once the burner and combustion gases are exhausted and the thermostat request is fulfilled, the burner shuts down, getting rid of leftover flue gases, and the power ventilator deactivates.

Here's how to keep the ventilation working in the rest of your house.