Hello,

I live in a 1940's Cape Cod in NJ. I currently have 2 mushroom exhaust fans and gable vents. I do not have soffits. About 2 years ago, one of the fans stopped working and the other day the second one stopped.

I've been told by several roofers that my current roof has anywhere from 2-5 years left.

I'm getting conflicting recommendations on what to do. Yesterday, I had a roofer come out that said to replace the 2 fans. He told me not to get a ridge vent when I replace the roof and replace the fans.

Today I had another company tell me that I should get rid of the fans and put a ridge vent in. He told me that the gables and the ridge vents were all that I needed. I do not have soffits. He is going to give me a bid to replace the fans and a separate one on roof, etc.

I notice a big difference in the second floor w/o the exhaust fans. I would like to take care of this quickly and use a contractor that I can trust.

Thanks.

jbc

A vetilating system that uses a ridge vent SHOULD have about 50% of its net free area in soffit vents to be completely effective. The combination of gable vents and a ridge vent is less than ideal, because the entire lower part of your roof is left unvented. Yes, one could say that about your present system, but the fans will create more velocity and more airflow than a passive vent such as a ridge vent, and may draw air from the lower parts of your roof also, especially if there is any infiltration down there.. Ideally, one would not want to use electric to ventilate anything, but since your house was designed that way and it appears to be effective, I'd suggest replacing the fans, and whenever you want, the roof, and keep the ventilation as it is, unless you're prepared to install soffit vents and ensure a clear ventilation space of at least 1 1/2 inches from soffit to ridge vent. In that case, you could dispense with the fans, and you wouldn't need the gable vents.

Richard,

Thank you for your quick and comprehensive response. I know the current system isn't perfect, but the attic and roof are in good shape. That indicates to me that the current fans are doing a decent job. It seems like the roofer that wanted to replace both fans and delay redoing the roof gave me good advice.

Thank you again and take care.

Jodi

Power fans are ok if you lack the ability to draw air in from other means such as natural flow from soffit to gable or ridge. But two fans are way to much if they are pulling from the same locations. The fans will pull the air from the area of least resistance. Thus one will pull from the other opening. Just replace the single fan. Wait until you replace the roof and then remove the fans and install soffit vents, or fascia vents along with a ridge vent.
The roofer is right if the roofs have been replaced as normal cycles, then your due for a roof in the next few years. Roofs typically have a live span of 20 years. Give that and the age of the house. Expect to replace. Even if you think it looks ok. Roof appearance from the ground is much different then that of on the roof.

Without some form of soffit venting any fan or ridge vent is only going to work at 50%.
A lot of cape style homes we work on at least get 3" round snap in vents in the soffit area.
My vote goes with getting rid of the old round vents and replacing with ridge vents. That way every bay gets vented, nothing to break, no noise, no use of power.