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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default furnace venting on ac unit

    hey all

    new home. i know dryers should not be vented near ac units, but also believe hvac should also not.what do you think about this. left is high efficient furnace,,right i don't yet, have not been in house yet

    thanks
    charlie

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
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    2,048

    Default Re: furnace venting on ac unit

    Assuming a typical install, meaning one pipe is vent and the other is combustion air, I wouldn't have a problem with the one on the left regarding the AC unit. However, depending on which pipe is which it could be a problem. For instance if the left pipe is vent then it is blowing directly towards the right pipe which is combustion. Would it be a problem? Unlikely since the combustion air side isn't pressurized (sucking) just atmospheric. If the left pipe is vent then over time the paint might peel off of the right pipe.
    As for the right set of pipes those are a problem. Assuming one pipe is vent it will be blowing the acidic/corrosive condensation mist directly at the AC unit. Overtime this will likely lead to corrosion. From what I've seen it won't take long, a year or two.
    I would right it up to change pipe direction on "both" vent pipes.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,036

    Default Re: furnace venting on ac unit

    Because of the corrosive action Markus mentioned, I would write them up as needing to be routed to a new location away from the condenser units and discharging even further away from the condenser units.

    Also, is that left condenser unit pad about to toboggan down that little hill? Kind of looks like it is head that direction.

    Are those condenser units level? The both look off level, especially the left one ready to take off down that hill.

    Are they far enough out from the wall to not be under the roof run-off?

    Also looks like the service access panel might not have the required 36" working space? Depends on where the electrical is once those panels are removed.

    Also, being on those vents are likely for heaters, it is unlikely that both the heat pumps and the furnaces would be running at the same time, otherwise there could be an interaction between the heated air discharge from the vents and the condenser units (other than just the corrosion mentioned above).

    Are those condenser units anchored down?

    Those pads look like flotation devices instead of concrete anchoring pads.

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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: furnace venting on ac unit

    Nice catch on the lack of earth under the front of that left unit Jerry. I missed that in the pic. I was wondering about the electric and freon lines. Is that real stone on the walls or some faux stuff? Seems like drilling and sealing nice holes in that is going to be rough.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
    Posts
    1,152

    Default Re: furnace venting on ac unit

    THANKS GUY--wrote up the tobogan--they will be landsacaping so made that clear to client. units are away from overhang and they are missing utility caulking, wrote that up to. can't wait to see what those other vents are--the one on right side.

    thanks


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