In order for your furnace to run efficiently and your home to heat evenly, this airflow must be in balance. In other words, the amount of air that your furnace “breathes in” must equal the amount of air it “breathes out.” Cold air returns are what allow your furnace to “inhale” your home's air .
Where is the fresh air intake on a furnace?
An updraft furnace takes in cool air at the bottom of the unit and, once it is heated, blows it into ductwork above the furnace. This type of furnace is commonly located in basements, and the air intake is at the bottom of the unit .
Does a furnace need fresh air intake?
Furnaces need a fresh air intake because they are typically designed to push air out of the home while functioning , no matter the type installed. With the fresh air intake installed, you can ensure that the furnace's combustion will not reduce your home's air quality.
How do I know if my furnace has a fresh air intake?
The architecture of high-efficiency furnaces means that they have their own fresh air intake . ... This is not a problem in conventional furnaces, as the open flue allows moisture to escape easily.
Can a furnace intake be inside?
All venting systems must be installed according to local gas codes and manufacturers installation instructions. There is no real concerns with having the intake air being drawn from the inside of the structure.... in most cases. As long as your house does not severely go into negative pressure you will be fine.
Is it bad to block cold air return?
Consequences. Restricting the airflow in the air handler or blower contributes to premature system problems, which can be serious. ... In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack .
Should cold air returns be open or closed in the winter?
Because hot air rises and cold air falls, you need to adjust your return vents with the seasons. In the summer, your lower vents should be closed and your upper vents should be open. In the winter, your upper vents should be closed and your lower vents should be open .
Does my furnace draw air from outside?
Air is pulled in from somewhere ( usually outside , probably the metal duct on the right), mixed with natural gas, and burned. All of the outside air and combustion products go out of the chimney to somewhere definitely outside. Very hot air from the burning of gas heats a metal piece called the heat exchanger.
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 are gas furnaces vented?
A conventional natural gas furnace will vent the dangerous combustion gases through a simple vertical exhaust system that is attached to the furnace . The exhaust system typically uses metal venting, often routed into a chimney stack, to exhaust the combustion gases created in the furnace fire chamber.
Do you need to vent a gas furnace?
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.
What are the two pipes coming out of my furnace?
Direct-vent (two-pipe) system: The two-pipe system is most common in home heating applications. It provides a direct intake vent that brings outside air to the sealed combustion chamber with one pipe, while a second vent pipe provides sealed venting of exhaust gases back to the outside of your house.
How can I bring fresh air into my home?
- Open the windows wide. Ventilate briefly but intensively. ...
- Avoid draughts. ...
- Before opening the window, lower the heating temperature. ...
- During ventilation, close the doors between rooms with different heating temperature settings. ...
- Remember to heat and ventilate unused rooms.
What happens if you cover an air return?
Keep couches, chairs and other large pieces of furniture at least 10 inches away from your cold air return vents. Avoid covering your cold air return vents with curtains, drapes or rugs. ... Clogged air filters can also cause cold air return blockages.
What happens if you block a return air vent?
Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder , as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.
Do bedrooms need return air?
Each bedroom needs either: A return air grille ducted back to the furnace; A through-the-wall transfer grille connecting the bedroom and the adjacent hallway; or. A crossover duct (a jumper duct) connecting a ceiling grille in the bedroom with a ceiling grille in the hallway.
