How Do You Vent A Gas Furnace?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Direct Vents

These vents can be installed horizontally through an exterior wall, or vertically so exhaust fumes go out through the roof. Although more costly than a natural vent, a direct vent is also a more efficient and safer option.

Can you vent a gas furnace through a wall?


Direct Vents

These furnace vents can be installed horizontally through an exterior wall, or vertically so exhaust fumes go out through the roof. Although more costly than a natural vent, a direct vent is also a more efficient and safer option.

Do you need to vent a gas furnace?

Yes,

a furnace needs to be vented

.

A furnace vent allows for any gases and exhaust created by combustion to be removed from the home. If your furnace is not vented, it can lead to dangerous conditions, like carbon monoxide building up within your home.

Where does a gas furnace vent?

These furnaces vent gas away

from your house through a flue pipe

. The flue pipe is attached to the heat exchanger, where the gas combusts and produces heat energy. Gas exits the house through the exhaust pipe, which usually leads up to a house's roof.

How do you tell if your furnace is venting properly?

How Do I Know If My Furnace Isn't Venting Properly?

Gas furnace fumes are moist

, so if you notice “sweat” on your windows, this is a sign that your furnace isn't venting correctly. When your furnace comes on in the morning, if it is venting into your house rather than outdoors, moisture will condense on the cold glass.

Do natural gas furnaces need a chimney?

Most homeowners are aware of the need for chimney cleaning and inspection if they own a wood-burning stove or regularly use their fireplace. But many don't realize that a gas heating appliance – whether it is a furnace, boiler or even a water heater – relies

on the chimney for proper venting of the exhaust

.

Does a gas furnace give off carbon monoxide?


Gas- and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide (CO)

. CO is an invisible, odorless, poison gas that kills hundreds every year and makes thousands more sick. Follow these steps to keep your family safe this winter.

Should the vent on your furnace be open or closed?

While

you should never fully close air vents

, you may increase energy savings by partially closing one or two outlets in your home that are farthest away from your furnace. Partially closed vents still allow air to flow properly through the HVAC system, which prevents overheating and added pressure to the ductwork.

How much ventilation does a furnace need?

Most furnace rooms need vents.

1 sq. inch of venting near the ceiling

. The minimum area for each vent is 100 square inches (10 x 10 inches).

How should a high efficiency furnace be vented?

Proper sidewall venting requires installing separate vent pipes

horizontally

so that they vent to the outdoors through a wall of your home. These ventilation pipes should be isolated from the furnace combustion chamber and made airtight to eliminate the possibility of combustion gas leakage.

What gas does a furnace put out?

Most furnaces are gas-burning and produce

carbon monoxide (CO)

, a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. The carbon monoxide from your furnace is mostly contained within the walls of its heat exchanger.

Are floor furnaces vented?

The best feature of floor furnaces is that

they do not require a duct system

.

Can a gas hot water heater be vented horizontally?


The venting can run either vertically or horizontally with a longer line

to help with space and sizing issues within your home, which makes power vent water heaters more flexible to install. Power vents are a more efficient option, as they are designed to utilize heat from the exhaust to heat water for energy savings.

How do I know if my furnace is leaking carbon monoxide?

  1. Heavy condensation appearing on windows where the furnace is installed.
  2. Sooty stains are appearing around the furnace. …
  3. The physical appearance of soot, smoke, fumes or back daft in the house from the furnace.
  4. A burning like/ overheating smell.

What happens if your furnace vent is blocked?

A blocked or damaged furnace flue

prevents combustion gases from escaping outside

. Instead these gases are released into your home. Once inside, they recirculate, and then carbon monoxide becomes part of the air taken in during the combustion process. This increases the amount of carbon monoxide present.

How long can a furnace vent pipe be?

The maximum vertical distance you can run a furnace exhaust vent is

about 15 feet

. If there is a forced air inlet within 10 feet of the exhaust vent, the exhaust gas ventilation terminal should be positioned at least 3 feet above it.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.