Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - combustable air
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : combustable air
Glen Galloway
06-19-02, 02:42 PM
I recently moved to New Jersey. I was concerned to find a carbon monoxide monitor in the bedroom of my appartment, which caused me to look at the forced-air gas furnace in the closet . I was surprised to find that there is no combustable air vent to outside. There is only a vent in the closet door. Is a combustable air vent required for safety?
Sharp Advice
06-20-02, 07:23 AM
Hello Glen Galloway. Welcome to our Heating and Cooling forum and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Your question all depends upon knowing what make, type & year model of heating unit is installed. The unit could be a newer type which draws combustion air from outside. This type does not require fresh air vents for combustion air inside the closet.
Another possibility could be the vents are there but hidden from site, behind the unit or have sheet metal tubes or ducting tubs in the closet.
It's also possible the unit is a heat pump, which is totally electric but looks similar to a gas fired unit.
Several other resident heating and cooling professionals on this type of system, replying within this forum, could have additional helpful information, suggestions, advice. Check back on your question several times for additional replies.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or questions, etc. Using this method also moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Forum Host & Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises.
Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient Service.....:)
Energy Conservation Consultants & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Your question all depends upon knowing what make, type & year model of heating unit is installed. The unit could be a newer type which draws combustion air from outside. This type does not require fresh air vents for combustion air inside the closet.
Another possibility could be the vents are there but hidden from site, behind the unit or have sheet metal tubes or ducting tubs in the closet.
It's also possible the unit is a heat pump, which is totally electric but looks similar to a gas fired unit.
Several other resident heating and cooling professionals on this type of system, replying within this forum, could have additional helpful information, suggestions, advice. Check back on your question several times for additional replies.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or questions, etc. Using this method also moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Forum Host & Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises.
Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient Service.....:)
Energy Conservation Consultants & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Glen Galloway
06-21-02, 11:35 AM
Tom Bartco,
Thank you for your response. The furnace is a Lennox G12Q3-82-4. It appears to be a standard natural gas fired, forced air furnace. I assure you that there are no hidden vents, only a hot air duct and an exhaust vent that goes straight up from the top of the furnace. There is a simple grill where a hole goes through the wall into the furnace closet (no duct), and a cold air return grill underneath the closet door. It is definately natural gas fired. I can see the gas line and gas valve. There are no vents or ducts into the closet from outside. The closet is completely sheetrocked. There is nothing behind the furnace, either.
Assuming the above is true, can you tell me if this installation is unsafe? I am concerned about a CO monitor being used as a primary safety feature.
Thanks,
Glen Galloway
Thank you for your response. The furnace is a Lennox G12Q3-82-4. It appears to be a standard natural gas fired, forced air furnace. I assure you that there are no hidden vents, only a hot air duct and an exhaust vent that goes straight up from the top of the furnace. There is a simple grill where a hole goes through the wall into the furnace closet (no duct), and a cold air return grill underneath the closet door. It is definately natural gas fired. I can see the gas line and gas valve. There are no vents or ducts into the closet from outside. The closet is completely sheetrocked. There is nothing behind the furnace, either.
Assuming the above is true, can you tell me if this installation is unsafe? I am concerned about a CO monitor being used as a primary safety feature.
Thanks,
Glen Galloway
Sharp Advice
06-21-02, 12:08 PM
Hello: Glen
The furnace does need combustion air and may have it supplied by that grill you mentioned. I say may, simply because I cannot view it personally.
I only have your description and the faith in the builder, contractors and city inspectors that the installation was built and installed per code, at the time of construction, to rely on.
Since you live in a muti-unit complex, you could always request to see another installation from a neighbors unit like yours, in which to compare against.
Another option would be to contact the local gas supply utility company and inquire about an in home inspection of the furnace. During such inspections of the heating unit, it is required by the companies service person to make you aware of any and all defects with the actual heating unit and or code violations.
Most, if not all utility companies nationwide, do not make all required repairs but do make you aware of such needed repairs and or code violations. The notices you should recieve, if any, will be your proof to the management company, owner or association etc. of such.
The furnace does need combustion air and may have it supplied by that grill you mentioned. I say may, simply because I cannot view it personally.
I only have your description and the faith in the builder, contractors and city inspectors that the installation was built and installed per code, at the time of construction, to rely on.
Since you live in a muti-unit complex, you could always request to see another installation from a neighbors unit like yours, in which to compare against.
Another option would be to contact the local gas supply utility company and inquire about an in home inspection of the furnace. During such inspections of the heating unit, it is required by the companies service person to make you aware of any and all defects with the actual heating unit and or code violations.
Most, if not all utility companies nationwide, do not make all required repairs but do make you aware of such needed repairs and or code violations. The notices you should recieve, if any, will be your proof to the management company, owner or association etc. of such.