FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Doors around a gas FHA furnace/AC unit

| Posted in General Discussion on August 19, 2002 06:07am

Hello Everyone,

I’m currently in the process of finishing my basement also. My question is about a door around the furnace. I have a gas FHA furnace and AC unit directly under my steps. I want to put bi-fold doors around the furnace and try to reduce the sound of the unit while it is running. It is not a loud unit. I was wondering if it would be acceptable to use a solid bi-fold door or use a louvered bi-fold door around the unit?  Does a unit as such require a lot of ventilation? Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks

Best Regards,

Fredd  

Reply

Replies

  1. Wet_Head | Aug 19, 2002 07:41pm | #1

    Each unit is different.  Call your installer for the specs you need.

    1. FTDFlooring | Aug 20, 2002 01:23am | #2

      Thanks,

      The house is 6 years old. I have no idea who the installer was. Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks

      1. User avater
        rjw | Aug 20, 2002 01:48am | #3

        Most codes (e.g., the mechanical code) call for 1 sq in of free vent space for every 1,000 BTU of input capacity.  That space has to be divided high and low.

        So, if you have 100,000 btu furnace, you need 100 square inches of free vent space.  Say your 10 x 10 return type grill has a free vent space of 50%, you need 2 of those 10 x 10. Put one toward the top of the wall, one toward the bottom.

        Now, that's assuming the return duct in the furnace space is prefectly sealed (i.e., doesn't try to draw any of the combustion air into the return plenum.)  Seal it up as well as you can and give yourself some excess capacity.

        Is it important?  YES!  A good furnace technician will red tag / disable a furnace with insufficient compbustion air because it can cause dangerous CO conditions (and mess up the furnace, as well.)

        Don't forget to have the furnace serviced evry year.  Wouldn't be a bad idea to get your heating technician to advice on the best way to provide combustion air for your situation.

        Oh, yeah: don't forget to maintain adequate clearnaces for the flue (6" for single wall; 1" for double wall B-vent) away from any combustible material (framing or other lumber, drywall (has paper liner) etc.   Might not catch fire today, but could a few years down the road due to pyrolysis.

        Edited 8/19/2002 6:51:47 PM ET by Bob Walker

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Cordless Random-Orbit Sanders

The new 18v GEX18V-5 and 12v GEX12V-5 finish sanders from Bosch provide ergonomic palm grips, easily accessible speed-selector dials, and side-mounted dust bags.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Decompartmentalizing a 1940s San Francisco Home
  • Upgrade Your Window Air Conditioner
  • Podcast 460: PRO TALK With Builder Keith Bohling
  • How to Frame an I-Joist Roof

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Justin Fink Deck Building Course announcement
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Tool Guide 2022
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?
  • Issue 304 - Dec 2021/Jan 2022
    • Why You Need Blower-Door Testing
    • Passive-House Standards for Everyone
    • Window Replacement With a Side of Rot Repair
  • Issue 303 - November 2021
    • Compact Cordless Miter Saws
    • Maximize Space with Thoughtful Built-Ins
    • 10 Essentials for Quality Trim Carpentry

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to set_percent%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in