We all know, in the year 2010, our world is changing abruptly. We’re talking global changes here concerning the climate and the condition of the environment. Many good efforts are being made to help our world heal from decades of abuse. Solar energy (of any kind) is a major step in this all important process. Solar roof vents are an excellent addition to the ever growing list of Green products.
Are solar roof vents worth the investment?
As an expert in roof and attic insulation and ventilation my answer is yes. I have seen, first hand, the almost miraculous results solar roof vents. A stuffy attic, full of trapped heat and moisture, can be literally transformed to a cool, dry attic simply by utilizing solar roof vents. The cost? Well, it depends on the size and shape of your attic. The larger the space, the more solar power required. But since the sun’s energy is free, the initial cost of installing the solar roof vents is in question.
The initial investment may seem high.
How high, you ask? Well, let’s see. A solar roof vent can cost anywhere from $300 to $1200. If your attic needs 3 or 4 of these vents the cost can get a tad big. On the other hand, the cost of using an electric roof ventilation system can bleed you for years – the constant cost of electricity really adds up over time, and there’s the damage to the environment as well. Let’s talk briefly about why it is important to keep your attic cool and dry.
An over-heated, damp attic can cause all sorts of damage to your house. Think of it this way: put a tropical rain forest in your attic and see what happens over a few months. Will the roof deck start to buckle and rot. Absolutely. Will the roof insulation become way to moist and lose its power? Absolutely. Will your air conditioner need to work overtime during the summer and drastically increase your cooling cost. Most definitely.
The list goes on and on, including structural damage and pest infestation.
Okay – back to the cost of solar roof vents. If billions of people on the planet all made even a small effort to help the environment what would happen? You know it. The environment would begin to heal in a huge way. Okay – there are vast numbers of people on the planet in developing countries and the last thing on their mind is installing expensive solar roof vents to their house (if they even have a house). But chances are, if you are reading this article, your life is somewhat advanced and you are not facing starvation or working in a field 14 hours a day for 2 dollars.
Is the cost of installing solar roof vents to your home worth the initial investment? In my humble, yet expert opinion, I think the answer is a resounding YES!
Also, I believe that if you take the plunge and shift to solar energy you ought to do it right. This means investing in quality solar roof fans (or any type of solar product). Some products are cheap and some are expensive – the quality products come with life-time warranties and they work much more efficiently. These quality products will also add to the value or selling price of your property.
Will we go out like the dinosaurs? Or will we take the bull by the horns and MAKE our life on the planet earth work in a beautiful way? Will you do your part?
The choice is yours.
