We can't *see* it from here, your best bet is to call your local,
*competent*, licensed, insured, professionally trained, HVAC technician to
assess your needs and properly install a correctly sized furnace for your
maximum comfort and minimum utility bills.

"Christian Fox" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to
replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or
so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting,
and use a vent on
the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the
house, and the
chimney running to the roof. If I get a new high-efficiency furnace, is
it likely that
the ducts to the wall will need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and if I
do the ducts
won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will need to get changed or
replaced, I'd
rather do that before finishing the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:19:25 -0600, Christian Fox
wrote:

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or so.

Do not cross-post to alt.hvac


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wrote in message
...
On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:19:25 -0600, Christian Fox
wrote:

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to
replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or
so.

Do not cross-post to alt.hvac


What a silly person.
Imagine posting a question about a furnace installation to alt.hvac

What could the OP have been thinking ?

AMUN

"Christian Fox" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to
replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or
so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting,
and use a vent on
the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.



Generally you can use the same duct with a high efficiency furnace, but that
is not saying your current duct work is correct!
Get someone in the trade to look over you ducts and give you an evaluation.
Greg

you will perhaps reline the chimney to the roof.
you may be resizing or replacing the wall pipes.

ventilation. gas dryers versus electric clothes dryers.
bring electrical connections to the basement ceiling surface. don't
bury any pipe connection shutoffs.
finishing a basement is a great big project best discussed with a
building inspector. a friend of mine added a beautiful and convenient
basement bathroom only to face a toxic mold cleanup just a couple of
years later related to drips and condensation on a water line.
sewage. drainage. radon. legal windows and egress. alarm systems for CO
and smoke. moisture arguments of seepage vs condensation. discovering
that a dehumidifier is just an air conditioner with a drain hose.

Christian Fox wrote:
Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace
to replace our current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within
the next year or so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different
ducting, and use a vent on the side of the house rather than a
chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the
house, and the chimney running to the roof. If I get a new
high-efficiency furnace, is it likely that the ducts to the wall will
need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and
if I do the ducts won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will
need to get changed or replaced, I'd rather do that before finishing
the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

There is no specific reason you would need different distribution
ducting. However you may want to have what you have inspected and evaluated
as many homes have a poorly sized and designed duct system. You can do that
anytime. If you are adding A/C then you are likely to need some adjustment.
A good duct design can make any system perform better giving you more
efficiency and comfort.

It is likely you will need a new intake-exhaust for the new furnace.
That depends on what you get. Generally they are easy to install and should
not pose a problem. If you are doing work now, you might want to plan. The
problem is who knows for sure what you will need for next year's equipment?

If it were me, I would have a pro take a good look at the existing duct
system and offer you suggestions about what you may want to do now.
Consider zoning as well. Now is the time to consider that.


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

I would seriously consider replacing all the duct work with new
higher R-Value duct work. My local home depot has several choices
for R-value for their flexible duct. Spend some money now and with
gas prices tripling, you will be handsomely repaid.


The furnace you choose will have specific venting requirements so
just read the documentation that comes with the furnace. Many of the
furnace installation docs are online so check their web site.





On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:19:25 -0600, Christian Fox
wrote:

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting, and use a vent on
the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the house, and the
chimney running to the roof. If I get a new high-efficiency furnace, is it likely that
the ducts to the wall will need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and if I do the ducts
won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will need to get changed or replaced, I'd
rather do that before finishing the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

Sherman wrote:
I would seriously consider replacing all the duct work with new
higher R-Value duct work. My local home depot has several choices
for R-value for their flexible duct.

I recommend avoiding "flexible" duct whenever possible. It insulates
OK, but it does not have good air flow.

Ductwork in a conditioned space like interior walls or floors, does not
generally need insulation.

For those installations were flexible duct is unavoidable and where the
ductwork will in an area that is not conditioned, then I definitely should
be insulated.

Spend some money now and with
gas prices tripling, you will be handsomely repaid.


The furnace you choose will have specific venting requirements so
just read the documentation that comes with the furnace. Many of the
furnace installation docs are online so check their web site.





On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:19:25 -0600, Christian Fox
wrote:

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace
to replace our current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within
the next year or so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different
ducting, and use a vent on the side of the house rather than a
chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the
house, and the chimney running to the roof. If I get a new
high-efficiency furnace, is it likely that the ducts to the wall will
need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and
if I do the ducts won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will
need to get changed or replaced, I'd rather do that before finishing
the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Christian Fox posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.

Hi,

I'm planning on getting a high-efficiency natural gas-fired furnace to replace our
current 15-year old standard-efficiency furnace within the next year or so.

I've heard that the high-efficiency furnaces require different ducting, and use a vent on
the side of the house rather than a chimney as an exhaust.

Our current furnace has two insulated ducts going to the side of the house, and the
chimney running to the roof. If I get a new high-efficiency furnace, is it likely that
the ducts to the wall will need to be changed?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering finishing my basement, and if I do the ducts
won't be easily accessible. If the ductwork will need to get changed or replaced, I'd
rather do that before finishing the basement ceiling.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Christian Fox

Maybe... and you're welcome
--
My boss said I was dumb and apathetic.
I said I don't know and I don't care...

Tekkie