A furnace in the attic or space above the garage has become a popular choice lately with homeowners who want to reduce energy costs and make their homes more energy efficient.
But, how do you know if your home has enough attic space to install a furnace? Or, if you have enough attic space, put your existing furnace in the attic.
If you’re contemplating either of these options, there are some things you should know about installing and putting in an attic furnace before you decide to take on the project yourself or hire someone else to do it.
This article will guide you on whether you can put a furnace in your attic.
Yes, furnace installation in your attic is possible and is an excellent option for people with limited space. However, when installing it, ensure you do it properly with the help of a professional, with checks in place to alert you of any malfunction in the furnace. Without these checks in place, you won’t notice the minor problems.
Can You Install a Gas Furnace in an Attic?
Yes, you can install a gas furnace in your attic. If your home does not have a basement or a large closet to accommodate a heater, installing one in the attic could be a good alternative for you to consider.
However, it is better to use professionals to install an attic furnace to avoid any potential issues with installing the furnace attic.
The main benefits of doing so are that it will be out of the way and out of sight and save you money on your energy bills.
However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you install a furnace attic. First, ensure that the space is well-ventilated and that there is enough clearance around the unit for proper airflow.
If you’re going to install a gas furnace in your attic, you must install it properly so that air does not become trapped around it.
A ducted installation is ideal for attics because of its ease of use and ability to provide even heating throughout your home.
The other thing to remember is that it can be challenging to find a qualified HVAC contractor willing and able to install a gas furnace in your attic.
Many contractors don’t have experience installing furnaces in attics, and those usually work on more complex jobs such as retrofitting for new systems or replacing failing equipment.
With these few things to keep in mind, installing a gas furnace in your attic is undoubtedly possible.
It can save you money on your energy bills and give you more control over your heating and cooling.
Furnace In Attic Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons when considering a furnace installation in your attic. Ultimately, deciding whether to put a furnace in your attic depends on your specific needs and preferences.
The table below shows the pros and cons of installing a furnace attic to help with the decision to install your attic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern furnace designs enable convenient vertical or horizontal installation in homes and attics. Horizontal attic furnaces are popular since they’re easy to install and can be put on a wall or rafters. | In the summer, attics may grow steamy, which can cause duct leaks and rips. Also, if your AC’s cooling power has decreased, you may have leaky ducts. |
| If you’re searching for quiet, try installing your furnace in the attic. It won’t disturb you there as it is not within hearing distance. | Squeaky fan motors are common indicators of furnaces about to break down. You might not hear the noise if it is in the attics. You won’t know if it has something wrong until it’s completely broken. |
| Installing a furnace in the attic can save you money because you can vent it right through the roof. Likewise, installing ductwork won’t be as challenging or time-consuming, which can help keep costs down. | A furnace installed in the attic can lose its efficiency. When using an attic furnace, remember that heat rises. Your furnace must send warm air down to the lower floors of your home. A basement furnace allows hot air to increase naturally, saving energy. |
| You can’t use that space for other things if your furnace is in the garage, basement, or closet. Since attics are often empty, they are an excellent place to put the heater and free up space for storage elsewhere. | Due to your furnace installed in the attic, warm air rises, which means that you need additional vents in the ceiling ductwork to drive the warm air down and throughout the home to keep the temperature comfortable. |
Furnace In Attic Good or Bad?
Many people are hesitant to install a furnace in their attic. However, there are several benefits to installing a furnace attic and its downside.
Whether or not a furnace installation in the attic is a good idea depends a lot on your situation and personal tastes, and the final decision is yours.
Your attic may be great if it is roomy and has air conditioning. But, on the other hand, if the attic is too tiny or gets too hot during the summer, it might create problems with how you use the space.
The advantages of installing a furnace attic include more room in your home. It is also cheaper and more straightforward to install.
In addition, you do not have to worry about the furnace’s noise since it is in the attic and is safe from flooding. However, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea.
First, the heat from the furnace can rise into the attic and make it extremely hot, which can cause the insulation to break down and potentially start a fire.
Also, the furnace’s fumes can rise into the attic and be dangerous to breathe, and if there is a problem, it can be challenging to access and repair.
Speaking with a professional HVAC company is best before putting a furnace in your attic. It will help ensure that you have correctly vented your home, making it safe and energy efficient.
Special attic furnaces also make installation easier and reduce some of these issues.
Can You Put a High-Efficiency Furnace in the Attic?
Yes, you can put a high-efficiency furnace in the attic as long as the attic is fully insulated.
However, it’s important to remember that an attic installation works best when fully insulated and conditioned. Extreme temperatures can ruin high-efficiency furnaces in attics.
In a small, unconditioned attic, a high-efficiency furnace won’t work. Insufficient air prevents the equipment from working properly because warm air rises naturally; your furnace must force it into the attic.
The condensate drain must be routed from the attic through the home to the basement. This drain removes the heating system’s overflow.
As water will flow in the winter, build the gutter through the house’s core; if the drain is too close to the home’s exterior, it may freeze in winter.
Can You Put a Condensing Furnace in the Attic?
Yes, you can put a condensing furnace in the attic. Many people do so because it saves space and can be more energy-efficient. Here are a few things to remember if you’re considering this option:
- Make sure your attic is well-insulated to protect the furnace from extreme temperatures.
- Have a professional install the furnace to ensure they do it correctly and safely.
- Be sure to keep the airflow unobstructed. For example, the intake vent should always point away from the house, not toward it. Likewise, the exhaust vent should not point toward an outside wall of the house or an area where there will be high concentrations of fumes.
- Find out whether a condensing furnace is right for your home. Energy star’s tool helps determine whether your home would benefit from having a condensing gas furnace instead of an air-conditioner-style gas furnace, which requires more ventilation.
Can You Put a 90 Percent Furnace in an Attic?
Yes, you can put a 90% furnace in an attic; however, I do not recommend it because attics are usually hot and humid, which can shorten the furnace’s lifespan.
Plus, putting a furnace in your attic can be a fire hazard. If you decide to put a furnace in your attic, ensure it’s properly ventilated and that there’s plenty of clearance around it.
That said, installing a 90% efficient gas furnace in an attic space is possible. As long as you correctly position the ducts and intake and exhaust pipes, there’s no reason why you can’t do it.
Make sure that there is plenty of clearance around your HVAC system for air circulation.
Also, check with local building codes because most jurisdictions do not allow you to install heat exchangers like furnaces within enclosed spaces such as attics.
Conclusion
Installing a furnace attic is possible as long as there is sufficient ventilation, although it has pros and cons. So, when deciding if you can put your furnace in the attic, you sure can.
If you are short on space in your home or want to cut installation costs, the attic is an excellent place to put your furnace.
