Furnace Platform Attic
Air ducts lose a fair amount of heat through leakage so shorter lengths are more efficient.
Furnace platform attic. It will not require long lengths of pipe to deliver heat to the rooms as a basement furnace does. To provide a platform all you need is some wood planks nailed to the joists in front of the furnace. A horizontal gas furnace installation in an attic should be on a service platform large enough to allow for proper clearances on all sides and service access to the front of the furnace see manufacturer s i o manual. You might not receive the same air movement benefits if the unit is in a garage either.
This handout is intended to provide only general information for further information contact the. Install passageway platform minimum 24 inches width and maximum 20 feet in length to fau. Attic access may be reduced to 22 x 30 provided the largest piece of equipment can be removed through the opening. Attic furnace walkway platform attic furnace installation must comply with you local mechanical code or imc international mechanical code if such was adopted in your area.
An attic in which a fau is installed shall be accessible by an opening and passageway 30 x 30 in size. The following are general requirements for an attic furnace based on the 2019 ca mechanical code. Attic furnace access passageway and platform attic furnace passageway and. If the unit is not located near the attic access a catwalk from the access to the platform is.
If you don t have a crawl space or a basement then it can be a challenge to place a furnace on the ground floor of the structure. A level working platform or grade surface not less than 30 inches 762 mm by 30 inches 762. The following are attic furnace installation requirements based on 2009 irc and 2009 imc the codes refer to it as appliances in attics. There is a common misconception that this is not possible for high efficiency furnaces.
Most of the issues that furnace might experience in an attic are due to extremely cold weather in this poorly insulated space. Attic furnaces take advantage of the closer proximity to use shorter lengths of air. A furnace can suffer from a drop in energy efficiency if it s in an unconditioned space such as an attic. An attic furnace is closer to the upper stories of a multi level home.
Find forced air furnaces at lowe s today. When you place a furnace in the attic to take advantage of its. High efficiency furnaces aren t usually recommended for an attic.