Furnace - increase air intake.

[carlbernardi]

Recently I had a HVAC person check my furnace and as always they suggest getting a new one in a few years. When he had explained how the new furnace would be better, the main difference he had pointed out was that the new furnace would have a bigger air inlet. I was wondering if it would be wise or unwise to drill a few holes in the furnace cover to increase the air fow to the burners (of course with the furnace turn off and the cover removed). Would this make the mix air rich and cause incomplete combustion creating CO2 gases or would it burn better creating less emissions and save money.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Carl

[Joseph Meehan]

No need. The air to the burners is not limited by the vents in the cover. The limits are the adjustments and more is not better here, the right amount is what counts and a limit on fresh air to the furnace. This can occur if the furnace is closed off from the rest of the house or if the house is very tightly constructed. In those cases you need to bring fresh air in from the outside.

BTW CO² is normal and not harmful. It is CO that you need worry about.

If you are worried about CO and it is a good idea to worry about it at least a little, then buy a good CO detector or two. I highly recommend them.

[SQLit]

There is one hell of a difference in combustion air and return air grill. New standards for combustion air will apply to any new installed gas appliances. Check the UPC online.

drilling holes in the cover,,,,,,,,,,,, REALLY BAD IDEA.

[carlbernardi]

Thanks of the speedy reply. I was wondering what you would suggest about bringing fresh air into the basement where my furnace is. Also is there anyway to measure how much fresh air the furnace is getting.

Thanks

Carl

[Mark]

I have added a fresh air intake into the return ducts. When the furnace is running it pulls some fresh air in from outside and heats it and sends it to the house. This air ultimatly replaces the combustion air and also slightly presurizes the house reducing drafts etc.

I like the fresh air feel you get when the furnace kicks on..

Mark

[Edwin Pawlowski]

The manufacturer or your furnace spent hundreds of thousands of dollars egineering and testing the unit you have. Do you really think drillling a couple of holes is a wise idea?

New furnaces are designed to use fresh air intakes for combustio air. Not all existing units are easily modified. Just drilling holes is not a smart thing to do.

-- Ed

[carlbernardi]

That's an awsome idea!

Thanks

[Joseph Meehan]

Mine was installed that way. It works for me. It also has a shut off.

[Joseph Meehan]

I don't know how isolated your furnace is from the rest of your home. Many are blocked off and have a vented door to them Some people like to block those vents. If your furnace is blocked off in its own room I suggest adding a fresh air vent to that room. Think dryer vent, but make sure it is designed to let air in as most dryer vents only allow air out.

When you have a dryer, bath fan etc on you need to have makeup air come back into your home somehow. Many new homes are so tight they don't allow enough air to come in and need a little help.