How Will Crawl Space Encapsulation Effect the Temperature in Your Attic?

Your attic is at the very top of your home, and your crawl space is at the very bottom. So how, when they’re located so far apart, is it possible for these two spaces to have such an impact on each other? 

Today, we’re going to answer that question. In this article, we’ll talk about how your crawl space and attic interact with each other, and why encapsulating your crawl space is one of the most effective ways to control the temperature in your attic. 

It All Starts with the Stack Effect 

The stack effect in a house, also called the chimney effect, is the force that connects your attic and crawl space. It’s a phenomenon that occurs when it’s colder outside your home than it is inside, so during the winter months here in North Carolina. (The stack effect can happen during the summer, too, but in reverse). 

Because hot air rises, the heated air inside your house is constantly moving up. If your attic isn’t sealed properly, it will eventually escape into and then out of your attic. As it moves, the hot air will raise the temperature in your attic. 

But high attic temperatures aren’t the only problem the stack effect causes. The movement of air also creates a negative pressure at the bottom of your home, which causes cold outdoor air to be pulled in. If your crawl space is not encapsulated, the stack effect will pull cold air into your crawl space where it will pick up contaminants from pests and mildew before making its way into your living spaces. 

The stack effect in a house can lead to all kinds of problems, including: 

• Cold and drafty rooms 

• Uneven room temperatures

• Poor indoor air quality  

• High energy bills 

You Need Your Crawl Space Encapsulated to Stop the Stack Effect 

One of the best ways to stop the stack effect and reduce attic temperature is crawl space encapsulation. 

When you encapsulate a crawl space, you effectively seal it off from the outdoor elements. This stops cold air from being sucked into your home through your crawl space. Crawl space encapsulation will be most effective at reducing attic temperatures if you also install good attic insulation and air seal your attic. Standard Insulating Company can recommend the best combination of insulation and crawl space solutions to remedy the specific problems you’re experiencing in your home. We offer a free energy analysis to uncover the hidden causes of energy waste in your home so we can implement the right fixes to save you money and make your home more comfortable. 

Find out if your crawl space needs to be encapsulated. Call 704-333-5151 or contact us to schedule a free energy analysis.