"Seeker" wrote in message
...
I am looking for ways to improve efficiency and have noticed that the
ducting coming directly from my furnace is extremely hot to the touch.
It's hot enough to burn if the finger is left there.

My first thought was that I need to insulate this, but then I started to
wonder is this is normal (my first house). Does this indicate an
overheated or overworking furnace? I have one room closed off if that
makes a difference.

The furnace itself is about 30 years old. So, should I insulate this pipe or
look for reasons why it is so hot? Thanks in advance.

This is Turtle.

If you have the vent pipe for furnace vapor to go out the roof. NO . Now if it
is the vapor vent for the fire chamber to say it will buirn your hand does seem
to me to be too hot. It will be hot but not to blister your hand with just a 15
seconds or so on it. It would not bew a bad thing to have the burners cleaned
and the gas pressure set to see about this for if it is over firing. It is
costing you big time in fuel bills.

If you have a real duct work for the air flow to each room, Yes you need to find
out why they are so hot. The Ductwork to each room air pipe should never burn
your hand or get too hot to hold your hand on it.

TURTLE