International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
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| HVAC Topics include heating, venting, and air conditioning. |
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#1
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Home had a 3 year old high efficiency Lennox furnace.
The intake vent was closed. What damage can occur to the system with running the furnace without the proper intake air? The intake had a duct damper control. It stated below with a sharpie that this should be closed in the summer. The hole intake vent seemed strange. PVC exhaust but a insulated flex duct intake. With a damper. I see this as a problem because the home owner may leave closed. Like this one. Thanks |
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#2
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This is based on my furnace.
If the flue fan does not develop enough discharge pressure( an indication of its full operation) then no gas/flame/etc. So if the the intake is shut, then the fan cannot move any air, so the pressure switch will not allow the furnace to continue operating. I'm guessing after a few short cycles the home owner will remember what went wrong, or pay someone to reopen the valve. As for the insulation, it makes sense. Cold air is coming in, allowing for condensation to develop on the piping. The insulation will allow for the minimization of the condensation. Just guessing..... tom Hellertown, Pa 18055 NACHI ID: NACHI06101299 Northampton County Home Inspector, Monroe County Home Inspector Help Me Save Money For My Kids' Education. "Might as well stick a fork in it, the real estate industry is done for now." - Tom Dietrich November 4th 2008 Ayers: Obama was 'family friend' |
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#3
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Speaking of insulation. Why would you insulate the main DWV platic stack?
You can see the stack in the backround & it is wrapped with insulation & plastic. Seems like a waste. A waste stack that is. |
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#4
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Quote:
Was there any copper piping in the area, could be a heat recovery heat exchanger over there. And that was some person's handyman work. tom Hellertown, Pa 18055 NACHI ID: NACHI06101299 Northampton County Home Inspector, Monroe County Home Inspector Help Me Save Money For My Kids' Education. "Might as well stick a fork in it, the real estate industry is done for now." - Tom Dietrich November 4th 2008 Ayers: Obama was 'family friend' |
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#5
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Please Note:
aobrien is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
You would insulate the drain stack to reduce the sound of running "water"
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#6
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Please Note:
rsummers is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
If the primary return air is sized properly having the outside air duct closed it would have no bearing on units operation. I would leave it closed if its not filtered unless its a business and required. If you bring out side air in to the house with out exhausting it it cause the house to become pressurized and is not very efficient. If you really want the fresh air inside invest in a air exchange system.
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#7
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Quote:
____________________________________________ "An Education, not just an Inspection" Larry Kage Lake Ann (Traverse City), Michigan 49650 231 929 3525 Professional Inspector and Infrared Thermographer serving the Traverse City, Michigan area and beyond. ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED BUILDING SCIENCES THERMOGRAPHER ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED LEVEL 1 THERMOGRAPHER
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#8
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Gentlemen,
What is pictured appears to show a combustion air make up with an added damper. Unless the furnace has a closed combustion chamber(2-pipe) the make up air is needed to provide a source of air back into the building envelope. Without this make up air the house would tend toward negative pressure relative to the outside and draw outside(unconditioned) air though any opening in the building envelope and also consume the oxygen with in the house. These have been a requirement since the mid seventies in this region as buildings began to be built with much tighter construction methods. These make up air runs are sometimes terminated in the cold air return to temper the air. The purpose of the added damper is unclear and perhaps someone else can clear that issue up. . |
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#9
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Thanks, Michael. The tightness of the house being the determining factor. In new construction the requirement, up here, started in the late 80's to early 90's.
____________________________________________ "An Education, not just an Inspection" Larry Kage Lake Ann (Traverse City), Michigan 49650 231 929 3525 Professional Inspector and Infrared Thermographer serving the Traverse City, Michigan area and beyond. ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED BUILDING SCIENCES THERMOGRAPHER ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED LEVEL 1 THERMOGRAPHER
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