I live in a ranch house and the return duct running down into my gas furnace has about a two inch gap between it and the garage ceiling. The exhaust duct also has a large gap between it and the ceiling. Is it safe to fill the gap (I want to use the heat radiating from the docts to keep the garage warm, as opposed to letting it rise into the attic and be lost), and if so, what's the best material to use? Thanks!
2006-12-21 23:37:11 · 6 answers · asked by Neil B 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You could use 3"x3"x whatever length pieces you need to fill in the gaps. Use 26-30 gauge sheet metal or aluminum. Butt each piece against the ceiling and pop rivet (or screw) to the ductwork. Or you could fasten it with metallic tape (before you apply the tape to the metal, clean it first as there may be a film of oil or dirt that will prevent the tape from sticking well)
Actually, doing what you propose, you won't gain enough heat in your garage to make a significant difference. But closing the gaps will help if you are using another heat source, such as a space heater, to help heat the garage. Good luck.
2006-12-22 02:49:18 · answer #1 · answered by Huero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I can't exactly picture the situation...if you want to insulate a two inch space, use pink foam insulation (extruded polystyrene) it's about R-5 per inch, better than just about any other common product.
If you are talking about the " chimney" for the fas furnace, use fiberglass, not foam! Foil faced fiberglas, like what is used to wrap ductwork is good for that.
Use a foam like "great stuff" to fill any gaps if you want to be really thorough. Put insulation in the attic over where the duct is, the more the better. If you insulate the sides of the duct "opposite" the garage, you are basically forcing the heat towards the garage side.
2006-12-21 23:47:22 · answer #2 · answered by roadlessgraveled 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't know. Can't tell from your description what you've got. "Exhaust" generally means the combustion gas pipe that goes to the stack or chimney. If that's what you are talking about using for garage heat, be a little careful because the system is designed to use the heat of the gases to get them outside. If they don't go outside, bad things happen. If, on the other hand, you are talking about insulating either the cold air return (air going to the furnace to be heated) or the duct which carries the heated air to the rooms, you can do pretty much whatever you want as long as you don't poke a lot of holes in them or squash them so they can't carry their designed amount of air.
2006-12-21 23:48:38 · answer #3 · answered by DelK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main concern for me would be the 'gap' n the exhaust. Carbon minoxidemust be exhausted from ANY enclosed space to the outside of building.
Get a length of duct pipe and patch the exhaust. Return air duct isn't that important, it's draw air from throughout the building. Even if you have one of the newer 'High Efficency' models.
I'm having a hard time visualizing you set-up. BUT get that exhaust section fixed.
2006-12-21 23:50:30 · answer #4 · answered by LifeRyder 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am surprised that it has a gap.. Think of using an aluminum filling that you can get at any Home Depor store.. ASk there for how much you may need
2006-12-22 01:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by Jake D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing wrong with insulating the duct work especialy the supply duct. the retun should be insulated only if it is near or in a cold or hot area
2006-12-22 00:41:51 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋