Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I'm doing some basically free work for a friend. She needs a new furnace. The existing unit is a converted coal burner; not reliable or safe. She can't afford a heating contractor. I've done some HVAC stuff before, but I'm better with framing and remodeling. I want to make sure I get this right.
She has a 6 room, 800 sq. ft. house(25 x 32). She may, at some future time, want to create usable space in the attic. For climate purposes, the location is Vandercook, MI.
It will be a natural gas unit, installed in the unheated basement area of the house.
My questions are:
Is a 40,000 BTU adequate? From research I've done so far, a 30,000 + is the recommended minimum. Will this be enough IF the attic space is utilized in the future?
Are 6 vents, size 4 x 12, going to provide enough air flow? She'd like to have one vent in each room.
There is a centrally located 12 x 12 vent that I can use as a cold air return. Is this big enough for a 40,000 BTU furnace?
Insulated flexible duct vs. rigid metal duct? Given that the basement will be unheated, my best guess is that the flex duct is a better choice.
There is currently a chimney into which both the gas water heater and existing furnace are vented. Code no longer allows this. I'd prefer a power vent furnace due to ease of installation. Am I making the wrong choice?
Thank you for your time; I appreciate your opinions and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Anthony
She has a 6 room, 800 sq. ft. house(25 x 32). She may, at some future time, want to create usable space in the attic. For climate purposes, the location is Vandercook, MI.
It will be a natural gas unit, installed in the unheated basement area of the house.
My questions are:
Is a 40,000 BTU adequate? From research I've done so far, a 30,000 + is the recommended minimum. Will this be enough IF the attic space is utilized in the future?
Are 6 vents, size 4 x 12, going to provide enough air flow? She'd like to have one vent in each room.
There is a centrally located 12 x 12 vent that I can use as a cold air return. Is this big enough for a 40,000 BTU furnace?
Insulated flexible duct vs. rigid metal duct? Given that the basement will be unheated, my best guess is that the flex duct is a better choice.
There is currently a chimney into which both the gas water heater and existing furnace are vented. Code no longer allows this. I'd prefer a power vent furnace due to ease of installation. Am I making the wrong choice?
Thank you for your time; I appreciate your opinions and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Anthony