Attic temperature

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dbowers

In 38 years of inspecting, building, and HVAC work I've never measured the attic temp unless out of curiosity as to how hot it is so I could tell everybody I was in a 145 degree attic today. Never met anybody in my area that did so OR talked about it if they did????

Your post reminded me that I keep meaning to ask ART what the hottest temperatures were that we've ever found in an attic.

Now that it's quiet, with no one bothering me, I can ask ART (he never sleeps). It looks like it is 176°F earlier this summer during the heat wave, and 158° two years before that.

The only time we measure the attic temperature is if a wall of heat falls down on us when we move the attic access cover.

Heat can overcome one very quickly, which is why I like having multiple inspectors at houses with large, hot attics.

[dchew]

When it's really hot and I have to go into the attic, I generally carry around a small towel that I soak in water. I then wrap it around my neck. It helps keep me cool for long enough to get through the attic inspection.

The only time that this trick didn't work was when the 2 furnaces were both in the attic and I had to go back and forth to the thermostats checking the systems out.

BTW, I did a inspection on a beautiful house a couple of days ago. It had a whole house fan next to the furnace. If you see the same setup, be sure to note the whole house fan as a possible safety issue since the fans generally don't have any sort of fan guards.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dbowers

In 38 years of inspecting, building, and HVAC work I've never measured the attic temp unless out of curiosity as to how hot it is so I could tell everybody I was in a 145 degree attic today. Never met anybody in my area that did so OR talked about it if they did????

I started to measure the temp this year Dan. I would often be asked "How hot is it when you inspect attics?"
"Friggin way hot" did not seem to be a professional reply.
Common temp here in the summer between 130 to 145 F.

[rnewman1]

"Hot is it when you inspect attics"

That was a statement not a question from these persons .

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by rnewman1

That was a statement not a question from these persons .

Better now?

[ccarrington]

In my life as a firefighter I would often see attic temps pushing 1200F... I usually recommend some form of attic ventilation at that temp...