Furnace in the attic

John Ketterman

Two furnaces doesn't mean twice the heating bill. If each one is correctly sized for the load, your cost to heat the home is the same (more or less) as if you had one furnace.

You had huge heating bills mainly because natural gas (assuming you have gas heat) was so expensive last winter.

Of course, it all depends on the furnaces and what nergy source they use and and how they are installed and so forth, which you haven't said much about. But two is not in itself a problem. They found it easier to do the ductwork this way.

Nilda Rodriguez

Furnace

I purchased a home last year and being inexperience in the process, I missed a lot when doing the inspection. During the start of the cold months, I turned on my furnace (my home is a two-level single family home)and only the lower level heat register would come on. I went crazy for a couple of weeks and decided to call the HVAC crew. It took them about an hour to figure out my problem. They found a furnace in the attic that was almost impossible to reach because it had no access, only a panel that was screwed to the ceiling.

I now have huge heating bills because I have to use both furnaces to heat my home. I can't imagine how they got the furnace up in the attic with such a tight squeeze. What I want to do is just have one furnace to heat the entire house, but I would imagine that will be a huge project since they have to tear down most of the ceiling to get the furnace out and tear down walls for the duct work. What is the best way to handle something like this?

Nilda Rodriguez

I see your point of view and it does make sense. I noticed recently that my second furnace (in the attic) was always on even though it was turned off at the thermostat. I had the thermostat changed for a new one and the problem still lingered. What I had to do was climb up into the attic and crawl over to the furnace because the space is so tight, and manually turn it off. That is not a big problem. I just need to install an attic ladder to get up there.

Jeff Lawrence_25

Where I am

(in Georgia), it's code to have acess to the location of the applaince, such as a furnace in the attic. That being said, there are still a few places here that don't have attic stairs.

Good luck, Nilda.

Nilda Rodriguez

Thanks...the extra furnace was a surprise. The realtor never mentioned a second furnace in the house when it was showed. It's just going to be a big hassle if I ever need that particular furnace replaced. I would need to knock down most of the ceiling to get it out. I just hope the furnace lasts a few years .

Cosmo_3

Here it comes

PLEASE

Hire a qualified contractor to give your HVAC a "Once Over". No doubt it has probably been a while. Have both furnaces cleaned, and checked w/ electronic combustion equipment that will help them get the furnaces running at the highest efficiency possible.

As part of this service, ask him(her) to check into the problem with the unit not shutting off. It may simply be a constant on fan, or a variable speed fan that is on for longer periods as part of it's comfort strategy.

You might find someone in the "Find a Professional" section here, or ask around for a referral from someone.

Remember that just because it burns gas does not mean it does not have to be checked, and tuned.

Cosmo

John Ketterman

> I had the thermostat changed for a new one and the problem still lingered


It is easy to check if the stat is at fault, by disconnecting and shorting the relevant wires. It is not necessary to buy a new stat just to test. Unfortunately, the stat is what homeowners see as the "public face" of their heating system, so whenever something is not right, they think "the stat isn't working, change it!"

Jeff Lawrence_24

Amen, Cosmo

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