Do gas furnaces "consume" the air in the space they are located to burn the natural gas or do they have an outside source of air? If you have a space (say a 6' X 6' area) is there a limit to how many fuel burning appliances you can put into this space? In other words, could you put two 75,000btu furnaces and a 30 gallon gas water heater in this space?
2007-01-23 01:26:31 · 4 answers · asked by TB28 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
In most cases, furnaces and water heaters eat the air they live in...
Ultra high efficiency furnaces have direct venting in and out... air in, exhaust out.
I doubt anyone would install all 3 units that size in a 6'X6' room... legally to code... there are servicing issues too... 24" around each unit is code where I live.
A good gas guy would recommend you vent the room to the rest of the house (an upper and lower 9" X 11" vent on the door for example) for safety (overkill but...) regardless of efficiency rating and air supply type.
2007-01-23 02:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by 6kidsANDalwaysFIXINGsomething 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Combustion air is necessary for the appliance to properly burn. Not enough combustion air can create hazardous conditions. The appliances do not have a fan/pump to bring in combustion ait but they do have a method to draw combustion air that must be supplied by the engineering of the space or ducted in by you. If the 6' x 6' space seals shut by closing a door (ie: a closet in a garage area) then you need to run some metal duct from the outside and into the room. An easier way would be to cut a 12" x 12" hole in the door and install a grille for looks and to keep animals out. The burn of the fuel, velocity of natural gas going through the burners, and negative pressure created by an induced draft motor (if it has one), will be what draws air into the combution zone. So, assure that the space is ventilated is basicall all you need to do. Remember, if the home is sealed tightly, it will be best to duct in outdoor air into the same room/area that the appliance sits in. Also! Do not allow the return air intake area of the furnace (that supplies air to the home) to be in the same space as the combustion section of the appliances (gas furnaces in particular) because the suction created by the return air can actuakky suck corbon monoxide out of the combustion section and into the supply air ducts of the home.
2007-01-23 02:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by redbird 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gas furnaces rely on oxygen to help the fire burn. Yes. It will consume the oxygen. As for a 6X6 area, first of all, WHY would you need 2 75,000 BTU units? That is more than enough overkill to heat a house. You would have to have a shop for that much. Secondly, it depends on how tall the area is. If it is high enough to house both units, then it is possible, but still shouldn't be done. Last of all, you can include a air inlet to insure that you have proper ventilation both in and out so that you will not breathe in carbon monoxide.
2007-01-23 01:57:51 · answer #3 · answered by protruckdriver71 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In newer homes the installers bring in a outside air source near the furnace to feed the combustion chamber. Usually an 8" pipe. If you have a standard effiency furnace I would recommend louvering the enclosure or door.
2007-01-23 01:57:57 · answer #4 · answered by Lamont 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋