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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Illinois
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    64

    Default Furnace in bedroom closet

    I inspected a home today with an addition that was built on in 1999. The master bedrrom has a 1999 Comfortmaker forced air furnace in the closet. It does have a inducer fan. Old metal flue through the roof. Is this a issue. To me it seemed wrong but wanted some feedback. Thanks.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
    Posts
    4,311

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Smith View Post
    I inspected a home today with an addition that was built on in 1999. The master bedrrom has a 1999 Comfortmaker forced air furnace in the closet. It does have a inducer fan. Old metal flue through the roof. Is this a issue. To me it seemed wrong but wanted some feedback. Thanks.
    Is the furnace door sealed and the top of the service closet open to the attic above or using combustion air from the sleeping room?

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Shallotte, NC
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    You don't mention whether it is gas, oil or electric, but I assume you are troubled because it is oil or gas. You also don't mention the BTUs.

    I concur with Billy. The bedroom is a prohibited location unless the door is sealed and all combustion air comes from somewhere else.

    If it's an electric furnace, I think it's just a dumb place to put it. Any other thoughts?


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    Would be legal in WI, just need 24” clearance for maintenance access such as filters, burners, controls. The 24” does not have to be all the way around the furnace just at where you access the unit for maintenance. Access point has to be large enough to remove the unit without the need to damage finished surfaces, or the need to remove another appliance.

    If you can open the closet door and reach the filters, check the burners, and remove the unit you are good to go. You will have to watch for manufactures clearances to combustibles and air intake needs. If it’s sealed combustion, probably not a problem, but if open combustion you need to check for adequate make up air in the closet.

    If the closet is also used for clothing, then a divider is needed to keep clothes off/away from the unit, but this also goes back to clearance issues.

    Would have to research the metal flue as everything around here is PVC.

    Last edited by Mike Kleisch; 10-19-2012 at 09:47 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Smith View Post
    I inspected a home today with an addition that was built on in 1999. The master bedrrom has a 1999 Comfortmaker forced air furnace in the closet. It does have a inducer fan. Old metal flue through the roof. Is this a issue. To me it seemed wrong but wanted some feedback. Thanks.
    With an induction fan I'm assuming this is a gas furnace. The combustion air can not come from the bedroom, even in WI. As Billy indicated the door would need proper weatherstripping to seal it from the bedroom, assuming it has the proper combustion air being supplied from the attic or exterior of the home. The btu size has nothing to do with it being allowed other than the required amount of make- air.

    If it is a direct vent or electic it would be Okay in a bedroom closet as long as all of the other installation guidelines are followed.

    The reason a combustion type furnace is not okay is that they will use the oxygen in the bedroom and that is not good for anyone sleeping in it!

    Last edited by Scott Patterson; 10-21-2012 at 12:16 PM.
    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    274

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    Wow, my bad, really thought I wrote "Would be legal in WI, if listed," then all the other requirements. Always nice to have that second, third, fourth... set of eyes reading.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    California
    Posts
    97

    Default Re: Furnace in bedroom closet

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Smith View Post
    I inspected a home today with an addition that was built on in 1999. The master bedrrom has a 1999 Comfortmaker forced air furnace in the closet. It does have a inducer fan. Old metal flue through the roof. Is this a issue. To me it seemed wrong but wanted some feedback. Thanks.
    Speaking from a California perspective, in 1999 the furnace could not be in a closet (or attic) that is accessed through a bedroom. Current code would allow the furnace to accessed through a bedroom if the door were a listed assembly for that purpose. Weather stripping ain't it.


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