In a properly designed passive system air enters through the soffit vents rises by convection in the attic and exits through the vents in the roof or gables.
Attic exhaust fans vs ridge vents.
For optimal performance ridge vents require soffit venting to bring air up and out the top of the roof.
A ridge vent is a passive system and offers less air movement and in moderate climates this style tends to be sufficient.
Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans.
Like attic fans ridge vents are designed to exhaust air that is already inside the attic.
One insists on using the ridge vents with no exhaust and the other sides with the use of exhaust fans.
More than 50 of the attic fans i see do not work and have current still live to the motor.
In the case of ridge vents when heat builds up inside the attic it makes sense that there should be a means of moving the hot air out other than relying on natural ventilation especially if there is little to no air movement outside.
Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air.
In more extreme climates one or more turbines will provide better circulation.
Ridge vent must me installed per the manufactures instructions.
What makes ridge vents so effective is how they run the length of your roof.
Which is better for your roof.
Best ventilation is open soffit venting to a open vented ridge vent.
Fans are needed only when there isn.
Without any air movement temperatures in the attic soar in summer and plunge in winter.
One of the leading causes for fires.
That depends on your roof.
Ridge vents are a passive system simply allowing hot air to rise up through them rather than pushing it out as a fan does.
Ridge vent vs solar attic fan.
Ridge vents are an ideal solution to ventilation in an ideal attic.
Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic.
This is different from soffit vents which allow air to travel into the attic.