Cooling Your Attic for Energy Efficiency When Temperatures Spike in the San Gabriel Valley

Look to the attic if you want an energy-efficient home in the San Gabriel Valley where the inside stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Garvey Roofing installs and repairs roofs for all seasons and provides free estimates.

On top of the roof using the right plywood, plus a reflective underlayment, and covering it with reflective shingles or tile reduces the amount of heat that seeps into the attic.

But don’t ignore inside the attic.

Light shining through a skylight into an attic.

Insulate the attic for energy efficiency

All Homes Experience Heat Transfer

What’s fun about homes from La Canada-Flintridge to Azusa and Arcadia to Hacienda Heights is that we have a variety of structures from different eras. Think of Bungalow Heaven in Pasadena and the many historic homes in Monrovia to mid-century modern structures and recently built two-story homes throughout the area.

The principle of heat transference doesn’t change.

Heat seeks cooler temperatures and once heat seeps into the attic, it’s going to find any exposed areas through the joists and find its way into your house.

Garvey Roofing improves energy efficiency by:

Maximizing air circulation
Using the proper amount of insulation

Circulating Air in the Attic

Allowing for airflow includes installing ridge caps on the roof that are vented and lets the airflow up and out.

This is an example of static airflow, just like an opening in the attic out the gable.

Installing an attic fan in the gable can help pull hot air out of the attic, especially if your house is in an area where there’s not a good cross-breeze or it’s between other homes that block a natural airflow.

Also, seal holes near wiring and gaps near vents and recessed lights.

If your home is in a high fire danger zone, then Thomas Garvey is careful about ventilates attics so embers from wildfires don’t find their way inside and combust.

Insulating Your Attic

Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to prevent hot air from flowing from the attic and heading inside your house.

First, clean out your old insulation and other gunk like small animal parts and waste. Garvey Roofing will vacuum your attic before providing new insulation.

Do you ever notice an unpleasant odor in the attic? Damaged insulation can be caused by pest damage and mold due to poor ventilation and leaks.

Older insulation called cellulose causes odors as well. Cellulose consists of recycled newspapers that were chemically treated for fire-proofing and to prevent pests.

After removing your old insulation, Garvey Roofing will blow in 16” of Insulsafe™ from CertainTeed. Insulsafe is fiberglass and won’t settle, rot or decay and is used in both residential and commercial spaces. Fiberglass insulation is naturally non-combustible, according to the Insulation Institute.

Garvey Roofing maintains a C-2 Insulation license through the Contractors State License Board.

Photo by Don Simkovich

Choosing Garvey Roofing

Thomas Garvey is a student of building science and has over 30 years of experience installing and repairing residential and commercial roofs throughout the cities of the San Gabriel Valley.

The company’s roofing and roofing-related licenses include: