Crawl Space Vents Open Or Closed

Open vents when over 70 deg f.

Crawl space vents open or closed. In most cases like in our area in east tennessee it s in the winter. In the winter when the air is drier and there is less humidity the vents could be closed so that the water and sewage pipes wouldn t freeze. The answer is crawlspace venting is a leftover design from a time with little air conditioning or perhaps a design borrowed from a drier climate. Close crawl space vents to protect the pipes and wood under your house.

Your crawl space vents should always be closed and sealed off from the outside elements. During hot weather the vents would be left open to allow outside air to circulate in the crawl space which would theoretically cool the rest of the house. As crawlspace encapsulations can cost 15 000 20 000 on a 2000 ft crawl space the search for common sense alternatives becomes obvious. A good rule of thumb is to close your crawl space vents once the outside temperature starts dipping down below 40 degrees f.

If you close the vents in your crawl space you re actually keeping the dry air out. Close vents when under 40 deg f. You do not say whether your crawl space floor is made of dirt or concrete but if it is dirt spread 6 millimeter plastic sheeting over it to help block that source of moisture. Air vent makes ones that open at about 70 degrees f close about 40 and don t require any electricity.

When is the humidity lowest outside. Crawlspace vents in charlotte s climate. If you open your crawl space vents in the summer you re actually allowing more humidity into your crawl space and creating an environment conducive to mold growth. Venting your crawl space leads to a variety of issues.

There are many schools of thought on this regard depending on whom you speak with and what part of the country your home is located.