How to determine the correct home furnace size?
To determine the approximate size of your HVAC system, use the following calculations:
- First, determine square footage: Find out the floor space in your home. ...
- Second, determine the base BTU: The unit used to measure energy used for heating and cooling is the British Thermal Unit, or BTU. ...
- Third, account for high ceilings: If your home’s ceiling is over 8 feet, multiply the base BTU amount by 1.25, or 25%.
How to estimate the right size furnace for your home?
- Step #1: Determine Your Climate. Here in Minnesota, our winters are harsh and dry with temps regularly falling below zero. ...
- Step #2: Estimate Your Home’s Square Footage. In addition to weather and climate, the size of your home also has a direct impact on the size furnace you’ll need.
- Step #3: Calculate the Necessary BTU Output. ...
What size air conditioner or furnace does my house require?
For a space of 800 to 900 square feet, such as a small home or two-bedroom townhouse, the recommendation is between 30,000 and 45,000 BTUs. An average 2,000-square foot home will need between 80,000 and 115,000 BTUs to heat efficiently. Need a new furnace? Call a top-rated pro. Get free, no-commitment estimates from experts near you.
What size Furnace do we need?
This depends on where you live and the efficiency rating of your furnace. In hotter Zone 1 regions such as Florida and Southern California, a 75,000 to 90,000 BTU furnace is usually adequate. For the colder Zone 5 regions like the Northeast and Upper Midwest, you'll need a 125,000 to 150,000 BTU furnace.
How much space is required for a furnace?
about 30 inchesThe usual recommendation is that your system should be about 30 inches away from furnace's walls on all of its sides.
Can furnace be in a closet?
Can You Install a Furnace In a Bedroom Closet? No, you can't install a furnace in a bedroom closet — or the bedroom for that matter. The major component of the average furnace's operation is its burners. A furnace generates heat thanks to fire from a gas or propane energy source.
Can you box in a furnace?
The answer is yes, of course you can enclose your furnace. Similar to the other reason, this has to be handled carefully, and within strict specifications to be safe and effective.
Where should a furnace be located in a house?
Typically your furnace is centrally located in the home. It is usually located in an area such as a utility closet (by a cold air return), garage, attic, basement, or crawlspace; in the case of a heat-pump (a dual-system) it will be located outside of the home.
Is it OK to have a furnace in a bedroom?
It's not recommended to have a furnace in your bedroom closet due to the toxic fumes that a furnace emits. Keep the furnace as far away from the air you breathe as possible. Furnaces are built to not only heat bedrooms but entire houses.
What should you not put in a furnace room?
Do not store any cardboard boxes, cleaning materials, or chemicals anywhere in the room. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Purchase at least one fire extinguisher and make it easy to locate. Do not block the entrance to the room or the areas surrounding the furnace.
Does a furnace need ventilation?
The heat that the furnace radiates may lead to a fire hazard. This is where ventilation become important -- not the ventilation of the furnace itself, but the ventilation of the closet space. The heat can safely escape if there is space around the furnace.
What do you put under a furnace?
Furnaces Need a Good Foundation First and foremost, furnaces should be placed on rubber pads to minimize the noise they make. Then, if they happen to be located in the basement, they should be propped up on blocks or something else that keeps them at least four inches off the floor in case the basement floods.
Does a furnace closet need ventilation?
For safety, you need the required venting, but as long as you extend pipes to the roof or outside walls, you do not need to worry about the closet. Space and heating issues are much more important concerns in closet installation.
How do I install a furnace in my closet?
1:053:40How to prep an old closet for a new furnace install: vlog 17 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the actual dimensions needed for our furnace that we are putting in here are 21 inches wide 24MoreSo the actual dimensions needed for our furnace that we are putting in here are 21 inches wide 24 inches deep. And then there's a bottom piece which is for the return air that's 18 inches tall.
Does furnace room need vented door?
A furnace room needs a louvered vented door. The louvered door allows venting to get combustion air into the furnace room. When the furnace pushes air into the home, it needs an equal amount of air to go back into the furnace room to work efficiently.
What kind of door do I need for a furnace room?
The kind of door that should be in a furnace room depends on the airflow quality in the room. If you don't have at least two vents bringing fresh air into the boiler, then you should install a louvered door. Otherwise, a door made of gypsum is generally acceptable.
What happens if you leave a furnace in a room?
If your furnace is left without enough ventilation room its fumes could begin to leak into your home and bring deadly carbon monoxide and hazardous gases that can be very harmful to you and your family. Avoid Any Fire Hazard Close to Your Furnace.
Is it safe to seal a furnace room?
Sealing your furnace room or doing improvement in your basement is a great idea, but it can be dangerous if you don’t check the regulations first or manufacturer’s instructions. Remember, the most important part of your furnace’s space is to make sure the room has enough ventilation and plenty of airflow. If your furnace is left without enough ...
Can a natural gas furnace shut down?
At times your natural gas furnace may have little airflow and could begin shutting down sooner than you would have expected. Many Manassas HVAC companies always recommend doing proper maintenance to your furnace, to ensure problems like these or others are addressed way before they even happen.
How much space between walls and furnace?
A general standard is to have at least 30 inches of space between the walls and a furnace’s sides. When you hire a professional HVAC contractor, he or she will design the space according to your area’s codes and ensure that the room maximizes your furnace’s performance and efficiency.
How much does a furnace room cost?
Final Furnace Room Costs. Including material and labor, a professionally built furnace room typically ranges from about $1,000 to $3,000. An HVAC professional typically charges about $50 to $80 per hour along with a standard minimum fee that usually equates to about 2 hours’ work.
How far should a furnace vent be from the floor?
Most furnace rooms should have one vent about 12 inches from the floor and one about 12 inches from the ceiling, although bigger and more powerful furnaces often require larger vents. Your HVAC professional can determine the correct vent sizes and install an appropriate ventilation system.
What is a furnace room?
Unlike a boiler in a boiler room, which requires a water heater, a furnace room uses combustion air to heat your home while keeping unsightly furnaces out of sight. Here’s what you should be aware of before building a furnace room.
What is the purpose of a furnace room vent?
Furnace Room Ventilation. Your furnace room also must include an effective ventilation system to circulate air, prevent fire hazards and protect your family. Your contractor should install an intake vent to facilitate air combustion and an exhaust vent to expel carbon monoxide and harmful chemicals.
Why do we need a furnace system?
A furnace system facilitates combustion to heat up air and transfer it through ducts to keep you warm and comfortable in cold weather.
How much does it cost to build a furnace room?
Including material and labor, a professionally built furnace room typically ranges from about $1,000 to $3,000.
How many BTUs per square foot for furnace?
Within the United States, the average home will require between 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot, depending on the region’s climate zone heating factor.
How to determine furnace size?
The most critical factor in determining furnace size is the home’s square footage. This information may be found on the home’s blueprint or closing documents. However, if these numbers aren’t available, simply measure “rectangles” on each floor of the house, multiplying the width by the length for each rectangle. Add up those totals to find the house’s total square footage.
What are the different zones of heat?
There are seven different climate zones, with Zone 1 being the hottest and Zone 7 being the coldest. In Zone 1 (which includes southern Texas and most of Florida), homes will need 30 to 35 BTUs per square foot to heat properly. On the other end of the spectrum, homes in Zone 7 (including northern Wisconsin and most of Maine) will require up to 60 BTUs per square foot. Keep in mind that homes in Zones 1 through 3 might not need a furnace at all and may be able to control the temperature with a heat pump; however, homes in Zones 4 through 7 will typically require the heating power of a furnace.
How long does a furnace last?
Furnaces also have their own lifespans, just like any other household appliance—anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Calling a professional to assess the current HVAC system can help determine whether it’s time to replace the furnace.
What is the BTU of a furnace?
This represents the amount of energy necessary to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Because home heating needs vary widely, furnaces come in a variety of sizes and BTU ratings. Here’s how to calculate what size of furnace is necessary. Remember that this number will serve as an estimate, and your qualified HVAC installer will be able to determine the exact size and model that’s best for your home.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace?
The average cost of replacing a furnace is between $2,000 and $7,000. Prices will vary based on size and efficiency, as well as the type of fuel used. Furnaces come in natural gas, electric, and oil models, each requiring different setups and using varying amounts of fuel. An HVAC professional can answer any questions and determine which type and size of furnace are best for the home in question.
Why is it important to have a furnace?
Especially in colder climates, winter weather can cause pipes to freeze or burst. Additionally, homes that aren’t appropriately heated can quickly run up a homeowner’s bills.
What is the average furnace size for a 3,000 sq ft home?
Furnace size for a 3,000 square foot home range from 105,000 BTU to 180,000 BTU, depending on the climate zone you’re in. Here is a table with calculated 3,000 sq ft furnace sizes for all 5 regions:
How many tons of furnace is needed for a 1600 sq ft home?
For example, the 6-ton furnace is sufficient for heating a 1600 sq ft home in Region 3.
Which region needs more heat?
Homes in colder climates (Region 5) need to generate more heat than holmes in warmer climates (Region 1).
Do homes in the North need more heat than in the South?
Essentially, homes in the far North (Minessota, for example) need almost twice as much heating as homes in the far South (Texas, for example). We have elaborated on winter heating requirements (in BTU) here.
How far does a gas furnace have to be from the furnace?
There are several gas or oil fired heating furnace clearance distance types: Clearance from combustibles - ranging from 0" to 18" to 36" (typically) depending on the fuel type (electric, gas, oil). Working space or clearance distances - that may allow 0 on 1-3 sides but always requires working space at least at ...
How much clearance is required for a gas furnace?
Typically for gas furnaces there must be a minimum of 24" front accessibility to the furnace, and any access door or panel must have enough clearance space to permit removal of the largest component in the equipment.
How high should a furnace be in a crawl space?
9. Condensate drain elevation space: A horizontal furnace in a crawl space must also be elevated approximately 4-6 inches to allow clearance for the condensate drain to exit the cabinet in the horizontal position.
What happens if you block too much air from the furnace?
There could be a subtle hazard: if you block too much supply air from exiting the supply duct system you could cause overheating at the furnace heat exchanger itself. In extreme cases the fan limit control, reaching a high temperature, should then shut down the heating system.
What is chimney clearance?
Chimney clearances: for heaters vented into a metal or masonry chimney, clearance distances around the chimney and chimney top including chimney top to roof.
What is a coil in a furnace?
The "coil" in a furnace is usually a cooling coil used when the air handler is providing both heating and COOLING to the home. If there is a cooling coil there'll also be an outdoor compressor/condenser unit. The coil will be on the outlet or "supply" side of the air handler.
What is the Home Reference Book?
The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
How big should a mechanical room be?
A. Most mechanical rooms are way too small. I think such a room should be at least 6' x 8' -- bigger is better -- but my sympathies always lie with the service personnel, not the homeowner who is giving up living space. Duct layouts determine mechanical room location.
How wide is a furnace closet?
The size of the closet depends on the furnace, but in most cases you can install a furnace and a WH in a 36” deep x 60” wide closet. Of course, its better if you have more room, like Martin said. You can install double 24” doors for access and maintenance and the equipment must be seal combustion.
What is the purpose of making up air for an atmospheric draft furnace?
Makeup air for an atmospheric drafted furnace is to keep the exhaust vent from depressurizing the space, causing spillage of exhaust into the space (plus combustion air).
How to reduce noise in furnace?
Another way to lower the noise is to lower the blower speed (that furnace has 4 speeds), but that won't affect burner noise.
Can you install a mobile home duct?
A. No. I'm not saying it's technically impossible -- someone has probably done it, because you see such things in mobile homes -- but you don't want to do it. You need plenty of room to facilitate installation, and you need room for maintenance personnel to get in there. Moreover, you have to imagine duct layouts -- how will you run the main supply duct leaving the supply plenum? How will you route the return ducts to the return plenum?
Is a 75k furnace a good size?
Though pretty common, a 75K is actually a pretty big furnace for an insulated normal sized house, as I noted in your other thread. Don't replace the door, replace the furnace for something right-sized and much quieter (like a modulating ducted mini-split heat pump), if it's in the budget.
Do you need vents for a closet?
The size of the exhaust vents will depend entirely on the size of your furnace; the size of the closet does not matter. For safety, you need the required venting, but as long as you extend pipes to the roof or outside walls, you do not need to worry about the closet. Space and heating issues are much more important concerns in closet installation.
Do you need a double pipe for a closet?
Depending on building codes in your area, you will need to install either a double pipe system or a single pipe with a double inner layer. The size of the exhaust vents will depend entirely on the size ...
Can you vent a furnace without piping?
If you decide to install your furnace without piping to reach outside air, then venting may be a concern. In this arrangement, the general rule is that your furnace room cannot be smaller than 50 cubic feet per 1000 BTUs of heat the furnace produces. This almost certainly means that you will need to add a basic vent to your closet so that it can bring in a flow of new air for combustion.
Can a furnace be installed in a closet?
The heat can safely escape if there is space around the furnace. Do not install your furnace in a storage closet.
