I live in NE Wis and I am seeing some condensation in my attic. I have attempted air sealing all the electrical boxes, Pipes, chimney etc. with foam. The next item I am looking at is my bathroom exhaust fan is venting to the attic next to a roof vent. I was going to vent it out the Soffit but I was given advice from an HVAC contractor that this was a bad idea. The warm steam would just go back into the attic. I would prefer not to poke another hole through my roof but if that is the correct way to do it. Are there any other alternatives? Probably a bad idea but I am looking at the revent pipe and thinking about a one way check valve.
Thanks!
Replies
Anything is better than into the attic. Which up here is against code anyway.
The best is through the roof, but at this time of year would be difficult.
Another idea is out the gable end of the roof near the peak. If the gable is far away, go from a 3" pipe to a 5 or 6" pipe as close to the fan as possible and then insulate the pipe.
Anything's better than the attic. Lots of times the venting is through the soffit, and usually it isn't a problem. Just block any soffit vents within about two feet of the fan exhaust and you should be OK. (Add more soffit vents elsewhere if need be to maintain adequate ventillation overall.)
Also, you need a special type of vent to work right -- the standard sidewall vent won't self-close when installed in a soffit.
Thanks for the help. It is a hip roof so a gable end option is a great idea but not available. Do the big box stores have the soffit vent or do you have a link?
I know they're a little scarce -- big boxes may not carry them. But here is one I found with Google: http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/86_742_118Here's a different style: http://www.rewci.com/plsovefor4or.html
People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. --Otto von Bismarck
If you have adequate high roof venting why not extend the bath vent into the opening of the roof vent? Seems a little sheet metal would close off the balance of the vent opening and force the exhaust to outside the attic area.
I attempted to do that but the condensation that formed in the pipe was extreme. I insulated the pipe but it was still rediculous. I essentially created a dehumidifier with no drain. Blowing warm hot air up a 15 foot cold pipe was a bad idea.
Wow,
Guess that proves the regional differences once again.
I will try to confine my advice to the geographic area/circumstances I know better.
Thank you! All the advice is appreciated. I believe you are correct this would work in a warmer climate.