Each appliance has a specification, available from the manufacturer, on various clearances. This number is sometimes zero, usually not, but never more than a few inches. That said 3 inches between the furnace and water heater does not sound risky.
Can a furnace and water heater be next to each other?
Re: distance between water heater and furnace? You need 24″ clearance to the front of each appliance.
How much space do you need for a furnace and water heater?
As a general recommendation, your heater should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This allows our service experts to comfortably replace it. You also need to check the space has enough airflow and ventilation, especially if you have an aging furnace with a metal flue.
How much space do you need around an electric water heater?
Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance, or air space, to function properly and safely. A clearance area of 12 inches is required on all sides of a hot water heater.
How much clearance is needed around a furnace?
30 inches
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 near you, a pro will design the space according to your local area’s codes and ensure that the room maximizes your furnace’s performance and efficiency.
How close can a water heater be to a furnace?
How Far Should A Water Heater Be From A Furnace? By and large, the clearance around your furnace should be wide enough to allow easy access for purposes of repairing and sometimes replacement of the furnace. Most building codes require that furnaces should have at least 30 inches of clear space from the walls.
How much space is needed for an electric furnace?
What Size Electric Furnace Do You Need?
| Home Size (Single Story): | Electric Furnace Output Needed (BTU per hour.): | AC Unit Size Needed: |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 to 1500 square ft | 55,000 BTU | 2 tons |
| 1500 to 1800 square ft | 60,000 BTU | 2.5 tons |
| 1800 to 2500 square ft | 70,000 BTU | 2.5 to 3 tons |
| 2500 to 3500 square ft | 90,000 to 100,000 BTU | 3.5 to 4 tons |
Can you enclose a furnace in a closet?
A Sealed Combustion Closet Can Safeguard the Air Supply
Enclosing the furnace and water heater in a sealed combustion closet can keep dangerous exhaust fumes out of your indoor air. To work effectively, the closet must: Be thoroughly sealed so no air can leak out into your living space.
Can you put a furnace in a closet?
Do not install your furnace in a storage closet. Any type of flammable material, including insulation, needs to be removed before installing the furnace.
How much room does a furnace breathe?
The usual recommendation is that your system should be about 30 inches away from furnace’s walls on all of its sides.
Can HVAC and water heater be in same room?
But the answer is yes they can be in the same closet.
How close can a gas water heater be to a furnace?
Minimum clearances for the furnace and hot water heater are generally in the manufacturers specs. 1″ on the sides and at the back is often standard for the furnace but they usually require 24″ of clearance in front of the unit in case you ever need to replace the blower motor.
Can furnace and water heater share exhaust vent?
Many homes are built with the water heater and furnace sharing the same exhaust vent. This practice is common with standard efficiency (80%) furnaces. When installed correctly, this venting arrangement works with an 80% gas furnace (or less than 80%) + gas water heater.
Can you vent a tankless water heater and furnace together?
There are two ways to vent a tankless water heater with a furnace. The first is a power vent that uses indoor air for combustion and an outside vent to exhaust gases. This type of venting system doesn’t need an intake valve, but there has to be enough air inside the room.
Can two furnaces share a vent?
Multiple gas or oil furnaces or boilers, as well as hot water heaters, can be vented into one flue.
