High Efficiency Furnace - ductwork changes needed?

Posted by Christian Fox on October 6, 2005, 8:19 pm

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to replace
our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting, and use
a vent on
the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the house, and
the
chimney running to the roof. If I get a new high-efficiency furnace, is it
likely that
the ducts to the wall will need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and if I do the
ducts
won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will need to get changed or
replaced, I'd
rather do that before finishing the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

Posted by Noon-Air on October 6, 2005, 9:33 pm

We can't *see* it from here, your best bet is to call your local,
*competent*, licensed, insured, professionally trained, HVAC technician to
assess your needs and properly install a correctly sized furnace for your
maximum comfort and minimum utility bills.

> Hi,
> I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to
> replace our
> current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or
> so.
> I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting,
> and use a vent on
> the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.
> Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the
> house, and the
> chimney running to the roof. If I get a new high-efficiency furnace, is
> it likely that
> the ducts to the wall will need to be changed?
> The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and if I
> do the ducts
> won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will need to get changed or
> replaced, I'd
> rather do that before finishing the basement ceiling.
> Thanks in advance for your help!
> Christian Fox

Posted by Christian Fox on October 6, 2005, 10:14 pm

says...

>We can't *see* it from here, your best bet is to call your local,
>*competent*, licensed, insured, professionally trained, HVAC technician to
>assess your needs and properly install a correctly sized furnace for your
>maximum comfort and minimum utility bills.

Read my original post. I'm not getting a new furnace right away. I'm finishing
my
basement right away. I don't want to cover up the ducts, only to find out that
they need
to get changed after the basement ceiling has been drywalled.

So, I'll simplify the question: Can a high-efficiency natural gas furnace use
the same
ductwork as a 15-year old, standard-efficiency furnace?

Posted by Noon-Air on October 6, 2005, 11:19 pm

> Noon-Air@comcast.net says...

>>We can't *see* it from here, your best bet is to call your local,
>>*competent*, licensed, insured, professionally trained, HVAC technician to
>>assess your needs and properly install a correctly sized furnace for your
>>maximum comfort and minimum utility bills.

> Read my original post. I'm not getting a new furnace right away. I'm
> finishing my
> basement right away. I don't want to cover up the ducts, only to find out
> that they need
> to get changed after the basement ceiling has been drywalled.
> So, I'll simplify the question: Can a high-efficiency natural gas furnace
> use the same
> ductwork as a 15-year old, standard-efficiency furnace?

I'll simplify the answer... I can't *see* it from here.... and I don't know
if the system was sized and installed correctly in the first place.
Now, as far as finishing the basement *before* you have the HVAC work done,
you are putting the cart before the horse. There is a reason why the HVAC
techs and installers work their magic *BEFORE* the sheetrock goes up.

Posted by Stormin Mormon on October 7, 2005, 12:39 pm

Yes.

Side note, drywalling a cellar ceiling makes every future repair project
much harder. Drop ceilings with ceiling panels are much easier for service
guys. If you drywall the ceiling, you may well regret it later.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
.
..

So, I'll simplify the question: Can a high-efficiency natural gas furnace
use the same
ductwork as a 15-year old, standard-efficiency furnace?

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