Abstract: An apparatus to ventilate attic space of a structure such as a home or building is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible air sealer and a fan housing unit. The apparatus is connected to trusses or rafters of the structure. The apparatus is placed directly below a roof vent, with the air sealer creating a seal between the fan housing and the roof vent. The air sealer supports propeller fans located in the fan housing. The airflow caused by the fan directs air into the flexible air sealer, through the openings of the roof vent, and out of the attic space. The apparatus may further include adjustable truss connectors that are removably attached to the air sealer and the trusses to allow the apparatus to be installed between variably spaced rafters.

Abstract: A whole house fan system and installation methods configured to reduce noise generated by the fan are provided. The system generally includes a fan, a register, and a flexible duct extending between the fan and the register. The flexible duct has acoustical insulation properties, which helps to reduce sound transmission from the fan to the register. The fan system is configured to be mounted in the attic space of a house. The fan motor is suspended in the attic so that it does not have direct contact with any part of the building structure.

Abstract: An elongated roof ridgeline vent is disclosed, comprising an elongated opening in a roof-cover along the ridge and a canopy or cover over the opening. Baffles may be provided between the canopy and the roof-cover to prevent wind-driven rain from entering the opening. Screens or other filtering elements can be provided to prevent the ingress of insects, vermin, and debris through the opening. Also disclosed is a roof employing upper and lower roof-covers spaced apart to form an air insulation layer, with a ridgeline vent in the upper roof-cover. The air layer additionally acts as a ventilation path for air from the attic. Also disclosed are eave vents, undereave vents, and layers for reflecting or absorbing solar radiation. Additionally disclosed are embodiments that employ these ventilation principles in a roof-portion with an upper apex, such as a conical roof.

Abstract: This article reports on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States. Traditionally, in some regions of the country, because of high water tables or the risk of flash flooding and lower cost, slab on grade construction is a preferred mode of construction. Mechanical equipment for air conditioning and distribution ducts are usually located in the attic spaces to conserve space. Conventional construction involves providing insulation on the floor of the attic and venting the attic space to the outside. The loss in efficiency in operation of the equipment and through duct leakage is no longer sustainable. Insulating the attic roof itself and blocking of ventilation to the outside transfers the air and thermal energy controls from the boundary with the living space to the plane of the roof. The air distribution systems now fall within conditioned space, which increases their efficiency, durability, and maintainability.While design criteria vary for differ...

Abstract: A closed air handling system for heating and/or cooling has an integrated damper mechanism for diverting discharge air into the attic or crawl space of a house, apartment, or other building, and for facilitating the introduction of fresh air into such building. Optionally, the damper has integrated louvers for use during an open position such that a venturi effect increases airflow by creating a vacuum between the louvers and the ducts connected to the discharge plenum.

Abstract: Attic vents and methods of their use and manufacture are provided. The air vent of this invention includes an bottom panel member, a pair of side rails and a plurality of support members that connect the bottom to the side rails. The vent is foldable to allow portions of it to lie substantially flat during shipping, and to be deployed at the work site. The foldable configuration allows the vent to be pre-attached to an insulation batt using glue or other fastening means, and then folded and compressed along with the insulation batt for shipping. When deployed at the work site and installed in a roof structure along with the insulation batt, the vent defines at least one channel on the roof facing side thereof, for directing ventilated air from a soffit region of the roof to the roof peak.

Abstract: An attic storage system comprising a series of elongated rails, each including an array of rollers mounted in and along the length of each rail at spaced apart locations. Individual storage containers, provided with bottom support means adapted to ride along the length of the rails are carried by the rails. The rails of the present invention are adapted to be mounted atop the upper surface of two or more of the ceiling joists of the attic. Thus, the rails may be mounted parallel to, angular to, or perpendicular to, the length dimension of the ceiling joints, thereby providing for enhanced variability in the positioning of the operative elements of the system within an attic, hence enhanced accessibility to any given one or more of the storage containers.

Abstract: An Attic Floor Joist Grid System for Weight Bearing Storage called an Attic Grid System. This system features low profile, flat, open and high strength grid panels that are supported by a joist system. The panels install directly onto the ceiling joists in an attic or storage area for residential and commercial applications. The panels are nominal widths that extend essentially to the center points of supporting joists. The system provides a simple and strong support surfaces which only requires simple, easy to use tools for installation. The panels are easily trimmed to size for non-standard operations and for encircling mechanical and electrical objects. The system is “see-through” and permits full air movement. Hence it does not contribute to moisture entrapment, mold and mildew. The materials are fire resistant and do not collapse or emit toxic fumes in the presence of a flame.

Abstract: Traditionally, attic space in buildings is perceived as a source of nuisance In winter, moisture condensation on the attic ceiling encourages mildew growth In summer, the heat buildup in the attic space increases the cooling load However, if the attic is integrated in a holistic design and control strategy, it can function as a solar energy collector, a heat exchanger, and a desiccantThis research investigates energy saving by optimizing direct and indirect ventilation through the attic to precool buildings and to reduce humidity The proposed energy saving strategies are examined in a double story house with an attic The house is located in a moderate-humid climate The built-up heat in the attic space and outside air ventilation is used to dry up roof construction materials during the day When outside air cools down during the night but maintains high humidity, the indoor air is circulated through the attic space The attic construction materials absorb moisture from the indoor air Thus, indoor a

Abstract: The aim of this project is to predict moistureand temperature state in cold attics with different design to make it possible to decrease the risk of moisture related damages. This has been made by practical testing of three alternative cold attic concepts. One attic with thermal insulation in the outer roof, one with reduced ventilation during winter and one attic with an extra heat source have been tested and compared with a “normal” cold attic. In the four attics, measurements of temperature and humidity are registered every second hour during a period of two years. The outdoor temperature and relative humidity have also been registered. By using the calculation tool HAM-tools temperature and humidity have been simulated and compared with measurements.

Abstract: Cool color pigments and sub-tile venting of clay and concrete tile roofs significantly impact the heat flow crossing the roof deck of a steep-slope roof. Field measures for the tile roofs revealed a 70% drop in the peak heat flow crossing the deck as compared to a direct-nailed asphalt shingle roof. The Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) and its affiliate members are keenly interested in documenting the magnitude of the drop for obtaining solar reflectance credits with state and federal "cool roof" building efficiency standards. Tile roofs are direct-nailed or are attached to a deck with batten or batten and counter-batten construction. S-Misson clay and concrete tile roofs, a medium-profile concrete tile roof, and a flat slate tile roof were installed on fully nstrumented attic test assemblies. Temperature measures of the roof, deck, attic, and ceiling, heat flows, solar reflectance, thermal emittance, and the ambient weather were recorded for each of the tile roofs and also on an adjacent attic cavity covered with a conventional pigmented and directnailed asphalt shingle roof. ORNL measured the tile's underside temperature and the bulk air temperature and heat flows just underneath the tile for batten and counter-batten tile systems and compared the results to the more » conventional asphalt shingle. « less

Abstract: A building construction method for controlling moisture in a building attic and improving the energy efficiency of the building achieved by installing a breathable membrane directly above the roof rafters thereby providing the presence of an air gap between the breathable membrane and the roof deck and sealing the membrane to the peripheral walls of the building, such that energy that normally passes from the living space into the attic and out the top of the building is conserved.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor-environment control method which can keep an indoor environment in a proper state irrespective of climate conditions. SOLUTION: This method is used for controlling the indoor environment of a building with a ventilation and heat-insulation structure which is provided between a structural member 10 for a wall, composed of a heat insulating material, and an indoor wall 14 with moisture permeating action in such a manner as to communicate with an attic space 30 and an underfloor space 23 with an internal vent layer 18 formed in a state of communicating with the outside, and wherein the state of making the underfloor space 23 and the vent layer 18 communicate with each other and the state of making the attic space 30 and the outside communicate with each other are automatically controlled depending on an outside temperature. A dehumidifier 52 is provided in such a manner as to communicate with the underfloor space 23; an exhaust fan 54 for discharging inside air outdoors from the inside of a room is provided; the temperature and humidity of the interior of a room and the vent layer 18 are constantly measured; the partial water vapor pressure of the interior of the room and the vent layer 18 is detected by a controller 44; and the indoor environment is maintained by controlling the operation of a humidifier 50 or the exhaust fan 54 so that the partial water vapor pressure of the interior of the room can constantly exceed that of the internal vent layer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Abstract: An insulative block of foam insulation has interspersed on an upper angled surface, a series of ridges and valleys. The valleys afford passageways for air circulation through the soffits and out the attic vents, be they ridge vents or attic turbines. This eave insulation prevents/reduces the thaw freeze phenomenon resulting from heat escaping in the vent region which results in the formation of ice dams which often produce roof damage.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ventilation structure of a flat roof for reducing labor and cost of installation, and capable ventilating an attic space. SOLUTION: A ventilation passage of a building 1 has an upper space 160 between a parapet 100 and a coping 150, clearance 161 and a cavity 162 being an inside space of the parapet 100, and communicates the attic space 20 with an external part of the building. Thus, the ventilation structure can be arranged in the parapet 100, to dispense with a member such as a conventionally using ventilation hardware, and also dispense with a hole part arranged for installing these ventilation hardware. Thus, since these ventilation hardware can be obviated, the number of part items is reduced, cost is reduced, and labor in work can also be eliminated. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat shielding/heat insulating ventilation material and a roof part ventilation and attic ventilation method using this material, for promoting heat shielding performance, heat insulating performance and moisture dissipation from the inside of a room, further enhancing durability of a house and a thermal environment in the room, and capable of exhibiting even the silencing effect, by arranging this material by using a ventilation space formed between tile battens in a roof surface and between ventilation furring strips in a wall surface. SOLUTION: A ventilation plate 1 is arranged by fabricating a large number of hollow conical bodies 3 on a plastic plate 2 such as polypropylene, and a heat shielding cover 6 is put on the bottom surface opening side of a hollow conical body 3 group of the ventilation plate 1. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat insulating structure for a roof, which effectively insulates an attic space from heat with heat insulating members, and prevents stagnation of moisture on a rear side of a sheathing roof board, to thereby prevent corrosion of the sheathing roof board etc due to moisture, and to provide a heat insulating venting material for use in the structure SOLUTION: The heat insulating structure for the roof is constructed by arranging the sheathing roof board 3 on a plurality of rafters 2 which are arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction, arranging the heat insulating members 11 on the rear side of the sheathing roof board 3 in a manner spaced apart from the sheathing roof board 3 so as to cover the rear side of the same, and forming an air layer 12 between the sheathing roof board 3 and the heat insulating members 11 According to the heat insulating structure, the plurality of heat insulating members 11 are arranged in the longitudinal direction in a manner being separated from each other by the adjacent rafters 2, and therefore the adjacent heat insulating members 11 are separated from each other at locations corresponding to the rafters 2 so as to circulate moisture between a front side and a rear side of the heat insulating members 11 via the rafters 2 COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Abstract: The influence on indoor thermal environment under the sod covered roof was studied. The roof was covered by the soil with a thickness of 100mm and turf grass. Continuation observation of air-temperature, globe-temperature, humidity and wind-speed has done in the room of the third floor (attic room), and the room of the first floor in the mid summer season of 2003 and 2004. The results evaluated using Fanger's PMV index shows that there is no big difference in the thermal environment of the third floor and the first floor. Since the surface of an attic cools the interior of a room effectively, indoor thermal environment of the third floor was kept comfortable. When the simulation of the difference from an ordinary roof (rock-wool slate roofing) was carried out, it turns out that the load of indoor air-conditioning becomes about 1/21.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ventilation structure of a building capable of preventing the occurrence of the condensation inside of an exterior wall of the building by forming the ventilation structure of the building pressurizing an indoor space in the building to the outside. SOLUTION: As an air supply means sending fresh air to the indoor space 2 from the outside 5, for example, an inlet port 8 communicating with the indoor space 2 and an under-floor space 4 is formed in a floor 11, and an under-floor air supply blower 6 provided in the under-floor space 4 communicates with the outside 5 through a ventilation duct 7. As such a fact that a drainage means is provided to an upward position from the center in the vertical direction of an outer cover of the building, for example, a first drainage course 9 connecting the indoor space 2 and an attic space 3 is provided on the ceiling 12, and the attic space 3 and the outside 5 are connected by a roof 13 by a second drainage course 10. Even if the under-floor air supply blower 6 is operated to pressurize the indoor space 2 in the case of heating in winter, the pressure of the indoor space is not increased since the drainage means is provided to the upward position of the building, and the occurrence of the condensation in the inside of the exterior wall of the building can be prevented. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI