Down Periscope or Crazy A/C Venting Gone Wrong?

[Laura S. Smith]

[IMG][/IMG]Had a new A/C unit put in yesterday. They used existing pipes and swore that this is what manufacturer guide lines and code say it has to look like.

I'm not a professional, but I can't help but throw common sense at the problem and see it doesn't look right. I've never in my life seen anything like this and as military wife, I've seen a lot of houses all over the country.

Can someone please offer me any input on what the vents ought to look like, please?

*Links to pictures*

http://s894.photobucket.com/albums/a...3111449052.jpg

http://s894.photobucket.com/albums/a...0311145001.jpg

[Michael R. Boyett]

Laura, there are likely too many additional questions that need to be answered before anyone can comment on your post. Describe the new system a little more, was the entire A/C system replaced including the outside condensing unit, the inside air handler and furnace, is it a high efficiency system (those 'pipes' look like they may be associated with a high efficiency system), where are you located? One photo appears to show a window well so I'm thinking you have a basement where the HVAC system is located, correct?

[Laura S. Smith]

Micheal.
Here's what I know:
The entire system was replaced including the outside condensing unit, the inside air handler and furnace. It is it a high efficiency system. The pipes are the intake and exhaust for the HVAC system that is located in the basement. We
live in the D.C. area.
Does this help?

Thanks
Laura

[Michael R. Boyett]

Yes, that should help. There are several good HVAC guys here on the board so let's wait for them to reply. We don't see too many high efficiency systems in my neck of the woods so I can't comment with any certainty. I did look at a sample high efficiency system installation manual here. Figure 4b on page 9 shows a couple of examples of how to horizontally vent a system. That's similar to your photos but probably more aesthetically appealing (I'm trying to be polite here, your photos of how they vented the system look pretty ugly , I'd be PO'd too). In any case, let's see if some other, more knowledgeable HVAC folks reply soon.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Laura, while we are waiting for other inspectors to get back from their Labor Day excursions I thought I'd give you a little more to ponder. I asked another inspector to review your questions and photos and he responded with:

There are a lot of unanswered questions on this one to make any real guesses. What she really needs is someone on site to view the installation. Yes it is an ugly installation and might well be violating building codes. Wonder if the replacement system was properly permitted? I doubt it or the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is pretty lenient. Some of the potentials just from looking at it are listed here. My basis for calls are that Pic 5001 looks like it is the exhaust vent as it has a reducer on it and can't be the combustion air. If it were then the combustion air vent opening has been reduced in size and might not be appropriate for the unit. · Both vents were raised from the ground due to the potential for snow blockage. However even at their height they are subject to drifts and still too low.
· The combustion air vent opening should be pointing downward to preclude the chance of water entry from rain. Obviously water entering can cause burn issues.
· The exhaust vent is violating the separation rules from that gas meter next to it.
· The exhaust vent is potentially violating the separation rule from the window above it.
· Both vents are posing potential safety hazards to people and themselves by extending as far out from the wall, in the potential walk path, as they are.
Just looking at these two pipes would make me wonder if the rest of the installation had other issues with it. That is a pretty stupid arrangement and they would have done better by running it up the wall above the windows at least before they came out. She can give us a lot of information but still needs to have someone on site to go over the installation.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by Laura S. Smith

Micheal.
Here's what I know:
The entire system was replaced including the outside condensing unit, the inside air handler and furnace. It is it a high efficiency system. The pipes are the intake and exhaust for the HVAC system that is located in the basement. We
live in the D.C. area.
Does this help?

Thanks
Laura

Was the water heater also replaced and by what?

[Robert J. OConnor]

The specifics for installation of exhaust and intake pipes for high efficiency equipment are manufacturer dependent based on the make and model of the equipment, and also anticipated snow levels in your area. But it does look like typical vertical offsets for ground clearance ... although a little far off the wall.

The pipe reduction does look a little strange, and I haven't come across that on any installations for typical equipment used locally, but it might be something new or specific to that manufacturer.

I would review the manufacturer's installations instructions and any aesthetic concerns you have with the contractor and/or call the manufacturer of the equipment.

[Laura S. Smith]

Originally Posted by mgratton

Was the water heater also replaced and by what?

Water heater hasn't been replaced.

[Laura S. Smith]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Laura, while we are waiting for other inspectors to get back from their Labor Day excursions I thought I'd give you a little more to ponder. I asked another inspector to review your questions and photos and he responded with:

Michael, A great big thank you for the information. I've got it printed out and will use it to question a rep. I have coming out tomorrow to look at the pipes. Yeah, very frustrating to see this work and not question the integrity of the rest of the work done. As my husband is on a deployment, I've got to let this guy know I mean business and the bottom line is to correct the errors. Fwiw, I walked around my neighborhood and looked at some new construction homes and took pixs of their vents and they look similar to the manual configuration you posted.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by Laura S. Smith

Water heater hasn't been replaced.

Thanks, I was just wondering if perhaps one of those pipes would be for the water heater.

Sometimes they extend further than usual so that it has the proper clearance to door/openable windows. Around here, 12 inches is required for an appliance up to 100,000 BTU and 3 feet for an appliance over 100,000 BTU.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Laura...keep us posted and in a worst case scenario one of us could probably help you find a DC area inspector that is knowledgeable in such matters to assist you. BTW, thank you and your husband for his service. We will do our best to have your's and his back while he's protecting us.

[Laura S. Smith]

Hi Mike, Thanks for your support. Home improvement stuff is such a guy world but I took a stand with the company and talked to a "supervisor" and got some action. He came out and I showed him the concerns I had with the work (I had printed your email with the comments you made btw) and while I was polite, I let him know that the job was done sloppy and he admitted it was and I asked him how was he going to fix it. A new crew came out and completed unfinished work and the guys took out the pipes that I had posted pix of and re-did it. I don't have the time to post a pix now, but i will follow up with a pix. The work was all completed and the new crew was pretty stellar. I had a county inspector come out this morning and it passed. A headache for sure, but I truly appreciate the help from this site and yourself Laura

[Michael R. Boyett]

That's good to hear. Glad things worked out for you.