How to Cool a Hot Attic

Keep your attic from boiling over with these venting and insulating tips.
Foil Covered Air Conditioning Ducts

Foil Covered Air Conditioning Ducts

An unventilated attic can reach 150 degrees in the heat of summer -- 50 degrees higher than it should be. An overheated attic can bake asphalt shingles on the roof and cause them to deteriorate. And it can cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to and send your energy bills soaring with the temperature. To head off these problems, consider these options for bringing your attic's temperature down:

  • Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees.

  • Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.

  • No matter what ventilation system you go with, make sure there's one square foot of venting area for every 300 square feet of floor space.

  • Install attic insulation with an R-factor of at least 19. This will help keep the hot attic air from heating your living space.

Next Up

Insulating Attic Access

Learn how to fill up attic spaces effectively.

How to Insulate an Attic

Whether your attic is finished or unfinished, choosing proper insulation requires a fair amount of planning. Learn more about batts-and-blankets, rigid foam and loose-fill insulation options that will help keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Should You Add Garage Insulation? How to Choose.

From standard fiberglass insulation to high-end spray foam, there are several ways to properly insulate your garage from extreme heat and cold.

8 Ways to Fix Drafty Windows

Save money and stay warm this winter with these DIY ways to insulate and weather-strip windows as well as doors.

How to Replace a Window

When it's time to replace an outdated, inefficient window, it can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve got everything you need to know to get the job done.

How to Clean Your Fireplace

Keep your fireplace tidy between uses with these tips for cleaning the firebox, glass doors and accessories.

How to Build Finished Walls in a Basement

Looking to finish your basement and turn it into extra living space? Learn the steps and costs needed to turn cinderblock walls into finished walls.

How to Clean Baseboards

Those tiny little ledges can get unsightly with dust and dirt pretty quickly. Learn the easiest way to get them clean with these four simple steps.

How to Clean and Repair Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause damage to your roof, cause your basement to flood, and lead to problems that can destroy landscaping and undermine your home’s foundation. Learn how to clean your gutters at least twice yearly — in the spring and fall — to prevent this damage.

How to Remove a Popcorn Ceiling in 7 Simple Steps

Learn how to remove a textured ceiling without creating a mess using these simple steps.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.