This is what this house has: a gas heater, electric ingiter, fan (blower). This is what's happening: Thermostat controls heater system (of course). Natural gas is released, electric igniter lights gas (creates heat), blower is activated, heat is blown though venting system. Then, gas expulsion is stopped (thus ceasing HEAT), and fan continues to blow for...oh...30-45 seconds. When the burners stop making heat, and the fan continues to blow, we get chilly (not cold) air through the venting system, somewhat defeating the purpose of creating heat. (the house does become warmer, by small increments)
I have discovered tonight that the fan's inlet/intake comes from a chimney/stack/ducting leading to the roof, outside...fresh air circulation, NOT recycled air circulation.
My questions:
Shouldn't the air (blower) intake come from inside the area to be heated (creating real warmth) as opposed to getting cold air from outside?
Why was this system built this way?
I am planning to modify the blower induction to be recycled, instead of fresh air. What, if any, danger to my family and the house am i risking?
If i switch to recycled air induction, would I be violating any codes? Why is this code in place? (if this a code issue)
[The heating system is vented, other than having fresh air circulation, and the sheet metal barriers (i forget the proper word at the moment) to the A/C system (which shares the ventilation system with the heating system) are in place.]
2006-11-20 21:00:49 · 7 answers · asked by Ryan 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Well for your first ?... with a gas heater, it doesn't need to come from inside rather than outside because the air gets superheated anyways. Sorry I don't remember the perfect solution for your problems... I did a Universal Refrigeration Tech class for a week back in '03 and am a rookie in installation.
2006-11-20 21:16:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to check with local authorites before making any changes on your system. But here in Texas we do things a little different. On a residential home all of your return air should come from inside of the home. On commercial buildings things are a little different. Most city codes require commercial buildings to have a minimum of 10% fresh air induced into the buuilding thru the return air of the airconditioning system. This is for health issuses and to help prevent what is called a sick building. If your system is short cycling there are several reasons why this will lhappen. If your burners cut off before the t-stat has reached setpoint and you know that your t-stat is calirated properly. You may need to set the heat andticipator if you have replaced your t-stat recently. Also on some furnaces if the high limit switch happens to open, the blower will continue to run until the switch closes. This is usually caused when air flow is restricted and the temprature inside of the furnace is getting too hot. This allows for the furnace to cool down to a safe level rather than burning down yoour house. Check your filter. Also if you have a cooling coil on top of your furnace it may be time to have it cleaned. If you have been pulling in outside side air, this is probably causing you to have more dust than normal. Most store purchased filters are only good for about 4 or 5%. Other words it only stops really big stuff. The other 95 to 96% goes to your cooling coil and right back into your house. Remember this is only a filter and not and air cleaner. Big Difference. There are also other problems that could cause the problem that you are having, but maybe this will help to point you in the right direction. Good Luck
2006-11-23 01:23:29 · answer #2 · answered by David B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the whole system is overall really old it may be better in the long run to replace it. With the newer highefficiency units a properly sealed duct system is very important if you expect the unit to operate at its advertised rating. With HVAC contractors some guys are barely literate and other guys use pretty sofistacated equipment to determine what is needed. Both will ultimaetely work but how the job is done and how long it will last will be vastly different
2016-03-29 03:58:06 · answer #3 · answered by Marie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have a winter summer control duct system for heat and cooling, the previous answers are correct in some ways but not complete, the fan should energize and prove before the gas is ignited then heat will produce, if the sail switch is faulty, that the switch that senses air flow it could cause the unit to shut down as a safety, as far as ducting and air flow, outside air is used in a winter summer mode, there is a damper acuater that is controled to set air realsed and intake for fresh, for your safty call a tech, \Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
2006-11-21 01:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by edgarrrw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like the flame sensor is dirty... The sensor is a little metal rod, usually located at the last burner... Clean the sensor by sanding it with some sandpaper til it shines...try this it should work for you... As for your question about the fresh air intake on your furnace, I wouldn't disconnect it to make it recycle the inside air... The purpose of gaining fresh air from the outside is to insure that your furnace burns cleanly... If you don't have adequate fresh air supplied to your furnace you can create a carbon monoxide issue, which could be dangerous....
2006-11-20 22:44:38 · answer #5 · answered by Kirk D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like Kirk D's anwers. Your system shouldn't be cutting out until it reaches the temp you set on the thermostat. The vent leading into the chimney is to vent "out" gas exhaust to prevent carbon monoxide. Also, in the summer your air conditioner uses the vent to draw fresh air as well.
Good luck.
2006-11-20 23:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by stretch 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nice going you guys . You are working like a team, keep it up!
We Brits have a/c or heating. We don't mix our systems normally.
2006-11-21 06:52:53 · answer #7 · answered by ask this dummy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋