90 plus units in attic

geojngl

We run a self regulating heat tape along exposed piping, and insulate. Install secondary drain pan.

shawn laverty

What are people doing to prevent the condensate line from freezing with a 90 plus hot air furnace located in the attic.

jim s_2

Install manual

usually will tell you what the manufacturer wants.

joel_19

90+????

Most manufacturers always used to say you could NOT install a 90+ in an attic not only will the drain line freze the secondary heat exchanger can as well this could cause big head aches and otentially a cracked heat exchanger . Have they changed the design to allow this??

Bob Forand

I don't know about all

But, I just read in an ICP 90+ gas unit that when mounted in an attic to use heat tape on the condensate line. Besides in our near future I can see all mid efficiency furnaces (80+) eliminated. I think it is already that way on new installs in Canada. Maybe a poster from Canada can shed some light on the mid efficiency equipment.

jim lockard_4

90 plus

Not a fan of 90+ furnaces in attics as I have seen them frozen solid should the home lose power or just get too cold and freeze the drain. What I have done to help people with 90+ furnaces in the attic is get the drain down into the house as quickly as you can,build a tent over the furnace with plastic sheeting and install a electric heater to thaw the furnace out, cut a small hole in the supply duct to allow a some heat in the tent. Best yet work with a builder that understands where in the home to place the furnace. J.Lockard

adambuild

!

We put an ICP 90+ in an attic of a vacation home where the heat is shut off completely between visits and the heat tape works just fine. No issues. The client turns the heat on remotely with a Sensaphone unit remotely and it works every time!

jimbo_7

Climate?

Hi Adam,

Where in the US is this vacation home geographically located in order to get an idea of their climate...Thanks...

allan_7

Never understood......

the rationale for installing a condensing furnace in an attic. Why???

I fail to see how a condensing furnace will be more economical that an 80% variable speed furnace that can use outside air from the attic, which should be properly ventilated anyway.....

To my thinking the 90% unit is more efficient due to the use of outside air for combustion, isn't an 80% unit that can use "free" attic ventilation air almost the same???

For my money, when factoring in first cost vs. long term cost and potential issues, isn't a variable speed two-stage non-condensing furnace a better choice ??

I'd like to see some cost comparisons and associated risks with condensing vs. non-condensing in an attic.

My suggestion has always been the two-stage non-condensing unit. I do not understand the "benefit(s)" of condensing furnaces in the attic.

scrook_2

from 80 to 90

They get to 90% not from use of outside air (though that's a good thing too) but by condensing the water vapor in the exhaust thereby recovering the water vapor's heat of vaporization.

adambuild

!

The vacation home is located in Jermyn, PA. That's northeastern PA.

andy_21

We usually build a small room fully insulated & rocked 2 sides. can include a small electric heater just in case temps drop to low. No problems in past 3 + years