Trying for best energy efficiency...

[chamill]

Hi all. I am in NC in a house built in 1996. The air conditioner/heater unit is in the attic. I was just up there opening and closing vents to change the air flow in the house and I noticed that as the heat is blowing, the exchanger (is this what it is called?) is giving off a lot of heat. Also, there are two pipes used to direct condensation away when the AC is on that have a lot of hot air blowing out of them. I am looking to make this as energy efficient as possible.

Should I buy some rigid insulation boards and attach them to the exchange unit, or will this be a waste of time and money for the savings I might realize?

Also, should I cap the condensation pipes in the winter time as all they are doing is letting hot air out?

This past summer when we purchased the home I used a caulk to try and cover up any cracks in the exchanger, so other than the pipes it is relatively air tight.

Thanks for your help!

[Jay11J]

You mean the exchanger as the furnace or heat pump?

When touching the furnace itself, it shouldn't be hot to the touch other than the flue pipe that exhaust the gas outside.

The duct work should be wrapped or lined with insulation, and you shouldn't feel heat coming off the duct..

The drain line, i wouldn't put a cap on it.. If you forget and someone turns on the A/C then you got problems. Just leave it as it.. That little bit is not hurting anything.

[chamill]

You mean the exchanger as the furnace or heat pump?

When touching the furnace itself, it shouldn't be hot to the touch other than the flue pipe that exhaust the gas outside.



Well, I'm not sure what it is called. The part that has quite a bit of heat coming off of it is below the gas flames where the air is forced to the rest of the house. It isn't 'hot' to the touch, but it is very toasty considering it is in the attic. Just wondering if insulating this is worth it.

[Ed Imeduc]

If you mean you caulked cracks in the heat exchanger in the gas furnace.I get someone to look at it right away. To take off the drain pipe and plug it for winter I dont think you will gain that much. You will gain more by keeping a clean filter in it

ED