Thread: Conventional Gas Furnace Question

What year did mfg's stop producing conventional, natural-draft gas furnaces, or at least start phasing them out.

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Originally Posted by Jim B. Robinson

What year did mfg's stop producing conventional, natural-draft gas furnaces, or at least start phasing them out.

Are you talking about when they started to use induction fans?

Yes, in a way. I'm interested in when the reliance on indoor combustion and dilution air was being phased out.

It is still the standard in my area. Although most furnaces are mounted in attics so are using outside air, they are not sealed combustion units.
It would take a long time to get the ROI due to the fact that I am in a predominantly cooling climate.

Jim B., we still use make-up combustion air from the room if it is large enough. In my home, my furnace is in the attic. In homes that have them in a room that is not large enough, they add make-up air systems like a "High-Low" vent or they use a direct vent that draws the combustion air from the exterior of the homes envelope.

You will still see natural draft gas boilers, but furnaces are few and far between. The manufacturers found they could make a power vented furnace with about 1/3 less material and charge more for it. The early 90s saw the biggest change.

If I had to pick a time I'd say late 80's - early 90's was when the changeover took place.

Thanks for the information!
Appreciated, Jim