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  1. #1
    Jon mackay's Avatar
    Jon mackay Guest

    Default High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    I came across a Trane Furnace that had an unusual routing for the fresh air intake and exhaust.

    The fresh air intake was routed toward the rear of the house and now has a very low deck installed at this area. I am assuming that the air intake should be re routed to a more suitable location but could not find specs for this. The picture shows the decks low height.

    Also, the exhaust vent is routed to the right side of the house which I thought to be unusual as all the installations that I have seen before exit the house at the same approximate location. The exhaust is also close to the gas meter which I believe may not be allowed, see picture

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    Yikes!

    You do not want EITHER that fresh air intake (and exhaust if direct vent) OR that disconnect ... THAT close to the gas meter (goes for that a/c unit to the left too!).

    And, if that window opens, I'm not even sure the gas meter is allowed that close (I recall the distance being 3 feet from a building opening).

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  3. #3
    Jon mackay's Avatar
    Jon mackay Guest

    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    The exhaust is a pvc from a high efficiency system so more moisture than anything.
    The air intake under the deck I'm thinking would be a good thing to re route.


  4. #4
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    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
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    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon mackay View Post
    The exhaust is a pvc from a high efficiency system so more moisture than anything.
    The air intake under the deck I'm thinking would be a good thing to re route.
    Actually they produce as much CO as a conventional furnace, the flue gas is just not "hot" and the CO tends to not dissipate as much with this type of furnace.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  5. #5
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon mackay View Post
    I came across a Trane Furnace that had an unusual routing for the fresh air intake and exhaust.

    The fresh air intake was routed toward the rear of the house and now has a very low deck installed at this area. I am assuming that the air intake should be re routed to a more suitable location but could not find specs for this. The picture shows the decks low height.

    Also, the exhaust vent is routed to the right side of the house which I thought to be unusual as all the installations that I have seen before exit the house at the same approximate location. The exhaust is also close to the gas meter which I believe may not be allowed, see picture
    John:

    JP is correct about the 3'-0" clearance to building openings. That includes fresh air intakes, windows, doors, et al.

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  6. #6
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    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    Aaron,

    Don't forget the a/c condenser unit, it would be equivalent to the electrical meter on your drawing - it is an automatic ignition device, switching on and off automatically.

    Yes, that includes that air intake, which is actually worse than just an opening as it is forcibly drawing air in, makes one want to give something like that even more clearance.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    Aaron,

    Don't forget the a/c condenser unit, it would be equivalent to the electrical meter on your drawing - it is an automatic ignition device, switching on and off automatically.

    Yes, that includes that air intake, which is actually worse than just an opening as it is forcibly drawing air in, makes one want to give something like that even more clearance.
    JP: I can't find specifics on that idea. IRC defers to the DOT for meter placement. All I can find from them is at:

    http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles...stems-2002.pdf

    What else do you have?


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Portland, OR
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    33

    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    The furnace manual would really help. Usually you need at least 3 feet from the service and a foot above a fully open deck.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Lake Barrington, IL
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    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    The furnace manufacturer's specifications are the ONLY specs you should follow. Generic diagrams for through wall venting guidelines are nothing more than that and can be wrong for many installations.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fuquay Varina, NC
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    Default Re: High Efficiency Air Intake and Exhaust Route

    JP is correct about the 3'-0" clearance to building openings.
    Picture to me is a little confusing. What is the 8" clearance next to the window for? I assume the other 8" one to the right is for cable, phone, etc.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

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