Summer in Australia can be unbearable for some, in extreme conditions homes and business tend to heat up quickly and our go to response is to switch on the air conditioning. There is no doubt that air conditioning and well placed fans can effectively cool a room, there are more efficient and cost effective, environmentally safer ways of doing the same thing. Ventilating the roof space with whirlybirds helps the whole roof structure keep the home cool in summer by removing the hot air from the roof space, having a cooling effect on the whole house, not just one room.
Whirlybirds are limited in their potential by the number you have on your roof. Advice on the number of whirlybirds and their placement will help you make an informed decision about what steps to take next. Just make sure you seek the opinion of a qualified and professional roofing team like Horizonline Roofing to give you advice and quote on installation. If you are considering whirlybirds for your home, read on for our tips and considerations to make and all things whirlybird.
How does it work?
Whirlybirds are a passive solution to air conditioners. Whilst whirlybirds assist in making the inside of your home cooler, they just don’t have the same power as an air conditioning system; having said that, the impact on energy costs and the environment is almost nil with a whirlybird. So whilst a whirlybird doesn’t actually lower the inside temperature, they work to make sure the heat in your roof space which radiates out through your ceiling and into your home is ventilated outside of the roof to cool the cavity. The rotary motion of the whirlybird turbines in the wind causes a vacuum effect for the hot air and allows cooler air flow to replace it in the roof cavity.
Benefits
Mould
Water and hot air are the perfect recipe for mould and once mould has taken hold of your roof space, it can be costly and arduous to remove. Not only is mould unattractive, it’s a health hazard and left untreated can spread throughout the house. With a whirlybird, your roof gets adequate ventilation and you remove one of the ingredients for mould production.
Reducing energy costs
The majority of whirlybirds on the market use only the power of wind to do their job, spinning in the natural wind to create a vacuum of sorts and suck hot air out of your roof cavity. They can be used in conjunction with an air conditioner as they reduce the load on the machine to cool down your home, which in turn can also reduce your electricity costs.
Considerations
Eaves
Are your eaves wide enough to accept vents to help the whirlybirds work more efficiently? Although not essential, this is definitely something to consider for an optimal and effective whirlybird.
Sarking
Having the pliable membrane – sarking under your roof material helps to ensure the whirlybird is sucking air out of the roof cavity rather than from the tiles.
Too many vs Not enough
As they say, “many hands make light work”, the same can be said for whirlybirds. If your roof is rather large, you will need a few whirlybirds for the desired results. Only having one on an expansive roof will have little to no effect on ventilating the roof space.
If you need an expert to take a look at your roof, contact us today for a regular roof check-up. Weather Roof Repairs or re roofing, Avoid costly mistakes and discover how Horizonline Roofing can help you and your home by getting in touch today. Call to speak to one of our friendly team on (08) 8380 5796, or you can fill in our contact form and we will be in touch shortly.
