Inspected a house today that has been renovated. Single family home, built in '77, area: 3,519 sq ft. There is a 48k BTU heat pump for the main level and a 36k BTU heat pump for the lower level. The was no auxilliary heat for the main level, which would have been handled by an electric air handler in the attic, for the lower level it’s a 100k BTU gas furnace and air handler in the basement.
My question/concern is in regards to the air returns for each unit. The air return for the main level is in the main level hallway ceiling. I have no problem with that, it feeds the air handler in the attic. However, the air returns for the lower level are two in the main level hallway and one in the lower level common area.
My question/concern is in regards to the two air returns in the main level hallway that feed the lower level unit. Is this a correct configuration? There is no door that separates the main level from the lower level, just an open stair well. To me it seemed odd, but I’m not an HVAC professional. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
As Larry stated, I don’t question configurations of systems as long as they appear to be functioning properly in either mode, or are not in violation of any safety concerns.
Yep, the air appeared to be handled correctly. However, I didn’t know if it would have any affect on the equipment involved.
I initially thought it would help warm the house in the event the auxilliary heat was needed, however, both air returns are near the stairwell so there won’t be any circulation of heat throughout the upper half of the house.
So in the basement is an actual gas furnace/ air handler? Here in Arizona when there’s a basement home they strictly go electric heat pump on heat and cool because they don’t want gas gathering in a basement that could be something to look at
Hey Tray, Yep, gas furnace in the basement. Here in Alabama, it’s the norm. They’ll stick a furnace in the basement, crawlspace, attic, internal utility closet, exterior utility closet, doghouse, where ever.
LP gas is what gets stuck down in low levels. Natural rises as it is lighter than air.
As for a gas bomb, gas can gather anywhere it leaks and go boom.
Do we tell clients not to park their car, lawnmower etc. in the garage?
California doesn’t have to worry soon, but those lithium batteries they don’t let on plains???
I think since our licensed adopted ashi back in the day the code is at a national level. And I to be honest with you don’t know the specific code number of that but it is commonly known here at least not to be allowed
It piqued my interest because I have never heard of this type of restriction. I looked around Google and found nothing. I briefly scanned the IRC in Arizona/Phoenix still nothing. If you come across the reference, please share. Many thanks.
I’ll be sure to try and get that looked up for us all. I know that every basement home I do here the rest of the AC units will be forced air furnaces and the one in the basement will always be a heat pump air handler it could be a local city or even County jurisdiction thing here
The only location restriction I had to deal with was in a bedroom.
I googled:
Can a gas fired furnace be located in the basement?
These furnaces are typically locatedinabasement,
Since warm air rises and cold air sinks, it would be ideal for the furnace to beinthebasement
Basement: In many homes, especially older ones, the furnace is locatedinthebasement.
There are requirements for the locations of a gas fired appliance.
The installation of gas-fired heating appliances must comply with NFPA 1 and NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code. The use of unvented, fuel-fired heaters is prohibited by NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 in numerous occupancies, unless they are approved units that comply with NFPA 54.
AZ Code uses NFPA 1 which only addresses the above “unvented” appliances.
Yes, it is safe to install a propane furnace in your basement, as long as the installation is up to code. There are certain safety procedures and protocols that should be followed if you install a propane furnace in your basement.
You have a few here that don’t agree with you, so before you start quoting Code, how about backing it up with written documentation. When you post here, it goes across the search engines of the internet, because of INACHI. Do us a favor, back up your claim.
I can’t find this thing either I have looked at different codes for finished basements IE living quarters rather than just an unfinished basement. I’ve also looked at exits for basements thinking that if there were one additional door to the exterior somehow that would change it but I’ve never seen a furnace here in a finished basement only air handlers I will continue to see what I can come up with
