Is direct vent furnace better?
Direct-vent wall furnaces circulate heated air with gravity, but some models also have a circulating fan. They are a great solution if a central furnace is not an option, and are generally less expensive than a central furnace.
Why does my furnace have 2 pipes?
Why Two Pipes. High-efficiency furnaces come with two pipes; one pipe brings combustion air directly into the furnace and mixes it with fuel. The other pipe exhausts the combustion gases directly to the outdoors. Both of these pipes are directed to the outdoors at about 95% of the furnaces that I inspect in Minnesota.
Does a gas furnace need to be vented?
Yes, a furnace needs to be vented.
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.
Can a gas furnace be vented horizontally?
Direct Vents
These furnace vents can be installed horizontally through an exterior wall, or vertically so exhaust fumes go out through the roof. Although more costly than a natural vent, a direct vent is also a more efficient and safer option.
What are the two PVC 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.
Can you install a high efficiency furnace with only one pipe?
The early models of high efficiency furnaces required the furnace have both an exhaust and a single combustion air intake as a requirement of installation. Late models through the 90’s until present allow for the furnace to have either a single pipe exhaust or a two-pipe system described above.
Can you vent a furnace out the side of a house?
If your furnace has an AFUE rating of 90 percent or above, it will have a flue pipe that goes out of the side of your house. That’s because the combustion byproducts are in a liquid form, so they need to be drained out of your home in a similar way that the condensation from your air conditioner is drained outside.
Can you vent a furnace without a chimney?
Direct-venting or side wall vent chimney and flue systems are a method of venting the exhaust gases from a heating appliance directly out through the side wall of a building while eliminating the need for a vertical chimney of any sort.
What happens if there is improper venting of the furnace?
Sometimes improper venting can cause heat exchangers to corrode. Corrosion can also be a result of old age. The big problem is that this corrosion can lead to cracks in your heat exchanger.
What are the 2 white pipes on side of house?
AC Condensate Drains vs.
One pipe is an air conditioning condensate drain, also commonly referred to as an AC drain line. These pipes are usually white in color and are made from PVC piping. Another pipe you may find on the outside of your home is a water pressure relief valve, also known as a PRV drain line.
What are the two pipes on the side of my house?
The two most common drain pipes that most people have on the side of their house are: Air conditioner condensate lines (AC drain line). Water heater pressure relief valve lines (PRV drain line).
Does a two pipe system have any advantage over a one pipe system?
The advantage of the two pipe system is that the water in the primary ‘flow’ pipe is only used in one radiator before being returned to the primary return pipe for reheating. This means it is now possible to achieve equal temperature in all radiators unlike the older single pipe system.
Why does my furnace have a water drain?
Again, the most common reason for a leaking furnace is a condensation leak. High-efficiency furnaces extract heat from the combustion gases for a longer period of time than a standard-efficiency furnace does, causing the gases to cool, then condense. Condensation is routed to a drain.
How do you seal a furnace vent pipe?
How to Seal My Furnace Vent Pipe
- Clean the area. Remove any dirt or debris from the area around the vent. …
- Apply sealant. You can choose either caulking or a foam sealant to seal your vent pipe. …
- Clean it up. If using caulking, you may wish to smooth it out after it has been applied.
Can I run furnace without condensate pump?
All condensate drains go into a trap. The condensate trap is absolutely mandatory for a high-efficiency gas furnace. Since the drain taps into the exhaust system, leaving it open to the air would allow for a potential exhaust/flue gas leak in the living space, which is a big no-no.
Why is there water under my furnace in the winter?
This can be the result of clogged condensation tubing, breaks in the condensation line or other possible issues with the pump. Humidifier issues are also a possible cause of furnace leaks. A clogged filter or drain in the humidifier can easily cause any furnace to produce unwanted moisture.
How long do furnaces usually last?
15 to 20 years
A well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.
How much water does a furnace drain?
A 90% or higher efficiency furnace produces around 0.8 gallons of condensate per hour of running. This equates to about five or six gallons per day of acidic water from condensation each day. Most of the time, the drain and drain line runs to outside the home and the condensate just seeps into the ground, harmlessly.
Do furnaces create condensation?
High-efficiency furnaces create condensation through the heat exchange process. When operating normally, this condensation is drained safely away from your furnace through the condensate line and drain trap. If there’s a leak or a clog in the condensate lines, you’ll quickly find a puddle around your furnace.
How do I stop condensation in my furnace vent?
Adjust the furnace temperature: Make sure that the furnace temperature is hot enough for the gases to freely flow through the flue and out into the atmosphere. Improve the flue design: Have a professional HVAC tech look at your flue and recommend improvements to the flue’s design.
How do I stop condensation in my furnace?
Keep the Air Moving
Run ceiling fans or move your furnace fan from auto to on so that air is constantly circulating. This can help the condensation from forming. Also, make sure you run fans any time you are cooking, showering, bathing or doing laundry.
