Installing a Gas Furnace in the Attic
There are some pros to this idea.
When it comes to both residential and commercial buildings, more homeowners have been considering attic furnaces. If your furnace is currently in a closet, installing a gas furnace in the attic can make your home quieter, free up some closet space, or even remodel your floor plan. For example, you can now expand the size of that master bath that you and your significant other have always wanted in order to get that bigger bathtub you've always wanted.
Why would you put a furnace in the attic?
It's not as simple as installing equipment in the attic as in other areas to install a gas furnace. There are more ways to set up the equipment. For example, you can install your furnace either vertically or horizontally.
Now, the indoor sections of heating and cooling system can be hung on a wall or from the rafters. Additionally, horizontal furnace installations are becoming more popular; as the old cliche goes, "out of sight, out of mind."
If you have enough space, it is a convenient location for homeowners to install the heating and cooling equipment because it frees up space in the home and decreases the noise levels of the HVAC system's operation.
Still, it has its downsides as well, as this location can also increase the vulnerability for potential property damages and other areas of concern, such as HVAC system failures and a much higher need for regular HVAC equipment maintenance.
Silicon Valley Comfort is the HVAC expert you can rely on if you want to install the HVAC systems' indoor equipment in your attic and keep your future and safety as our top priorities.
We're aware of the dangerous possibilities of installing your HVAC system's indoor equipment in the attic (e.g., gas furnaces and evaporator coils). Therefore, we take the necessary steps that can prevent potential damage to your property or create an unsafe living situation.
Cons of Installing a furnace in the attic
An attic furnace forces warm air to flow down to the lower parts of the house, thus reducing efficiency. Because hot air rises, a basement furnace delivers more efficient flow.
A furnace in the attic may make the warning signs or sounds more challenging to notice. A furnace or other HVAC system not working correctly often has a warning sign, by installing the furnace in the attic may take more time than the equipment cannot afford until someone finally notices the warning signs before calling someone to come and service it.
Perform routine seasonal maintenance on your unit to prevent the many possibilities of significant property damage.
Make sure that you have the appropriate ventilation and detection devices in place before installing or moving a furnace to your attic.
Because your furnace will be out of sight when it is in your attic, minor issues may go unnoticed, so having an HVAC service agreement will significantly decrease the unforeseen issues that can arise by having it in an area that's typically forgotten about.
What should a homeowner consider before putting a gas furnace in the attic?
Local or international mechanical codes (IMC) must be adhered to if you plan to install a furnace in your attic.
The following requirements are based on codes in the United States and are therefore applicable to most regions.
- Your attic access opening must measure at least 30 inches tall, 22 inches wide, and large enough to remove the HVAC system or furnace appliances installed there.
- A service platform needs to be in place for convenient serviceability.
- A service light needs to be installed above the equipment with an easily accessible switch near the attic access.
- Proper ventilation for adequate combustion air is vital for safe furnace operation.
- A sizeable secondary condensation pan must be in place under any condensation-producing equipment, such as a high-efficient gas furnace or an air conditioning evaporator coil.
- A secondary drain pipe is also a building code requirement that should be terminated over a window or a doorway that will alert the homeowners of a problem, allowing them an opportunity to get a service technician over to inspect the issue.
- If your gas furnace or air conditioning coil is located in the attic space, a catwalk is required unless it can be accessed from the attic access opening and serviced from the top of a ladder.
Have an HVAC specialist install a new furnace.
With so many factors to consider before installing the heating and cooling equipment in an attic, moving or installing a new furnace in your attic should only be done by a qualified professional.
Your home's design, the size of your attic, and the climate in your region will all be important in determining whether an attic furnace is ideal for your home.
Contact us for assistance with your attic furnace installation or for help answering any questions you may have about the installation process.
Silicon Valley Comfort has years of experience installing furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pump systems.
We can safely install HVAC equipment in attic spaces and provide you with yearly services to ensure that there won't be any undesirable consequences from installing your new heating and cooling system in the attic.
