LeBlanc
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After viewing these postings for a while and after giving lots of thought to my options, I have decided to replace my natural gas hot water heat system with a natural gas forced air heat system. Several questions are still an issue and I'm seeking guidance.
My preference is to do all of the grunt work to save money. I am a mechanically-inclined novice when it comes to HVAC and will purchase professional help for necessary portions of this project.
The attached graphic shows the footprint of our 1400 square foot Mid-Michigan cottage. The lower portion (approximately 400 sf) is on a slab (as outlined by the thick red border line) and the upper half (approximately 1000 sf) represents the portion of the house on a somewhat tight crawl space.
The heating system and water service items are currently located on a slab in the area marked by the large X (in a part of the large garage that is being converted to living space). As part of a larger renovation, my plan is to move everything to the adjacent area (also on a slab, about 12 feet from their current location) that is salmon colored on the graphic.
Question 1 - Calculations from several sources indicate we should select a furnace of about 77,000 BTU's. Does this sound right for 1400 sf in Mid-Michigan?
Q 2 - Should the new furnace be an updraft or downdraft? I can purchase either type of furnace from a wholesaler and since the majority of the house will be ducted through the crawl space, it seems the downdraft makes more sense.
Q 3 - My preference is to run heat duct in the crawl space to all crawl space rooms, and I'll probably need to duct the rooms on the slab through the attic. Is this allowable and advisable? Is it realistic?
Q 4 - The new 93% furnace will be about 12 feet diagonally away from the existing vent / chimney. Can I attach to the existing vent or should I construct a new vent straight upward from where the furnace is placed?
Q 5 - Since the new furnace will be in the house, and since the room holding the water service items and the furnace will be essentially a large closet (about 4' x 8') what can I do to ensure adequate fresh air? Will louvered closet doors suffice?
I will probably have more questions later. Thank you for providing feedback.
Richard
My preference is to do all of the grunt work to save money. I am a mechanically-inclined novice when it comes to HVAC and will purchase professional help for necessary portions of this project.
The attached graphic shows the footprint of our 1400 square foot Mid-Michigan cottage. The lower portion (approximately 400 sf) is on a slab (as outlined by the thick red border line) and the upper half (approximately 1000 sf) represents the portion of the house on a somewhat tight crawl space.
The heating system and water service items are currently located on a slab in the area marked by the large X (in a part of the large garage that is being converted to living space). As part of a larger renovation, my plan is to move everything to the adjacent area (also on a slab, about 12 feet from their current location) that is salmon colored on the graphic.
Question 1 - Calculations from several sources indicate we should select a furnace of about 77,000 BTU's. Does this sound right for 1400 sf in Mid-Michigan?
Q 2 - Should the new furnace be an updraft or downdraft? I can purchase either type of furnace from a wholesaler and since the majority of the house will be ducted through the crawl space, it seems the downdraft makes more sense.
Q 3 - My preference is to run heat duct in the crawl space to all crawl space rooms, and I'll probably need to duct the rooms on the slab through the attic. Is this allowable and advisable? Is it realistic?
Q 4 - The new 93% furnace will be about 12 feet diagonally away from the existing vent / chimney. Can I attach to the existing vent or should I construct a new vent straight upward from where the furnace is placed?
Q 5 - Since the new furnace will be in the house, and since the room holding the water service items and the furnace will be essentially a large closet (about 4' x 8') what can I do to ensure adequate fresh air? Will louvered closet doors suffice?
I will probably have more questions later. Thank you for providing feedback.
Richard