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Posts tagged conditioned attics
The Case for Dedicated Dehumidification In Sealed Attics

Modern building design increasingly embraces sealed attic construction as a strategy to enhance energy efficiency and improve air leakage control, particularly beneficial for the performance of HVAC ductwork. This approach, where the attic space is brought within the building's thermal and air control envelope, fundamentally alters the moisture dynamics compared to traditional vented attics. While offering significant advantages, sealed attics introduce unique moisture challenges that demand precise and active management to prevent long-term durability issues and maintain superior indoor air quality.

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Understanding "Ping Pong Water" and Navigating Attic Moisture Dynamics in Modern Roof Assemblies

The design of residential attics has undergone a significant transformation. Conventionally, attics were vented spaces with thermal insulation placed on the attic floor, separating the unconditioned attic from the conditioned living space below. However, contemporary building practices increasingly favor unvented, or "conditioned," attics where insulation is applied directly to the underside of the roof deck.[1] This shift is driven by several factors, including the desire to bring HVAC equipment and ductwork within the building's thermal and air barrier envelope to improve system efficiency and longevity, enhance overall building airtightness for energy savings, and create potentially usable conditioned or semi-conditioned space within the attic volume.[3]

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