Circulating, heating, and cooling the air inside a house is the primary duty of a home ventilation system. A damaged air vent can create extreme hot or cold temperatures within a room which may cause the residents of the affected areas to feel uncomfortable. Homeowners who properly care for the air system within their home and perform proper maintenance on their roofing system can avoid "short circuiting" the ventilation system.

A short circuiting effect may result when the opening at the end of the gable within the roofing system is removed or closed. The hot air then remains in the attic space and can cause damage to this system; therefore, those gable openings should remain open to allow the removal of hot air from the attic. By allowing this over-heated air to be eliminated from the attic, the heat will have less of an effect on the deterioration of the shingles, the attic space will be cooler, and the air-conditioning unit will be more effective and work more efficiently.

Ventilation System Information

The following parts of the roofing system on most homes may have openings for proper ventilation:

• Gable – There are openings in the end walls of the gable located near the peak of the roof.

• Power Fans – These are large fans that are used to move air in the space and are generally controlled by a thermostat, humidistat, or a combination of the two.

• Ridge – These are openings located in the uppermost portion of the roof and are usually long enough to extend to the peak of the house.

• Soffit – This is located beneath the eaves where the overhang meets the wall, and allows the air to move through the attic from the lower edge of the roof on out to the ridge vent.

Proper Ventilation

Hiring a professional may be necessary to make sure that the attic is getting the proper aeration, especially when it comes to handling the exits at the end of the gable. It is important not to allow old gable openings to be covered as these openings help ventilate the attic space especially if ridge openings become clogged. There is a myth that if the exhaust on the gable is left open it could "short circuit" the entire system; do not be mislead by this improper information.

Proper System Care

Achieving a comfortable atmosphere within a home requires a properly balanced ventilation system. When these openings are not overworked in supplying the heating and cooling cycles for each room, they can actually help in lowering the electric bill. Following are some helpful tips to keep these openings working efficiently.

• Filters - Cleaning or replacing all filters when needed will lessen dust build up which can alter the sensing device of the thermostat.

• Openings - Ensure that the openings in the roof are not obstructed by any objects.

• Monitor – Keep track of the temperature of each room in the house once the heat has been turned on for at least 30 minutes to determine if each of the rooms is the same temperature.

• Get Help - If a temperature imbalance is noticeable in one or more rooms, the homeowner should call a professional to troubleshoot the problem. Detecting a problem such as this at its earliest stage can help save homeowners from the costs of a major repair in the future.

Every homeowner should know the importance of how the various openings on the roof affect the ventilation system of the entire house. Ineffective exhausts in a home can lead to health problems, such as headaches, drowsiness and other health issues. It can also lead to excessive moisture in the attic, resulting in the growth of mold which could cause extensive damage to the roof. Homeowners can avoid all these problems by consulting with their nearest professional contractor and scheduling a home inspection of their ventilation system. Most importantly, don’t let any openings be closed as that could cause problems that could "short circuit" proper airflow through the attic space!