Attic Furnace Installation: Is It A Good Idea?

Today, many people don’t like to overclutter a closet by putting a furnace in. At the same time, there are already a lot of systems in basements, and something else just won’t fit in there without global reworking. So, is an attic furnace installation a good idea?

Attic Furnace Installation: Pros and Cons

In most cases, furnaces are installed in a basement, closet or garage, but this is not always possible due to lack of space or inconvenient ducts. Therefore, installing a furnace in an attic can be a great alternative.

There are both pros and cons to this decision. We’re here to get to the bottom of whether an attic furnace is right for you!

Attic furnace pros

Attic furnaces can be installed in residential and commercial buildings. All you need is that your attic is of sufficient size and well insulated. So, what are the benefits of installing an attic furnace?

#1 Simplified installation

First of all, it is a simplified installation compared to basement and closet installations. In most cases, attics have plenty of space to spare, which is not the case with all that plumbing stuff. The installation process will go faster and easier when you don’t have to snake through already installed lines in tight space.

#2 Save space

By installing a furnace in your attic, you will free up a lot of space in your garage or toilet. HVAC system is not at all something that has compact storage. In addition to the furnace itself, there are tons of auxiliary pipes and ductwork running off to the sides. It may not be something you’re happy to have in your cozy garage workroom!

By installing a furnace in your attic, you can make wise use of storage space in your restroom or pantry. After all, furnaces need space around them for periodic maintenance. Installing a furnace in the attic space completely solves this problem!

Did you know that an attic can be a great storage space? Check out How to make a truss attic suitable for storage.

#3 Save money

Furnace installation in the attic will cost less than other locations in the house because the attic is more accessible than the basement. Attic furnaces require less ductwork to run throughout the house, which again saves you money.

Shorter air ducts have one more benefit – this way there will be less heat leakage and cooling on the way to the living spaces. That plus one more point towards improving the energy efficiency of your home.

#4 Less noise

Installing an attic furnace comes with another bonus. You will get less humming in the living space. And we can all benefit from having a quieter environment at home, can’t we?

#5 Less risk in flooding

If your location is at risk for flooding or groundwater, installing a furnace in the attic is not your choice, but your necessity. If your basement floods, you should take every possible measure to keep your unit safe and install an attic furnace only.

Furnace in the attic cons

Let’s be honest, installing an attic furnace has some downsides as well. Here are three matters to consider carefully.

#1 Efficiency issue

It is known that warm air rises to the top, and if your furnace is in the basement, you are perfectly fine with that. In the case of the furnace in the attic, the heated air has to be forced down through the ducts. Modern furnace designs provided for attic installation have sufficient fans for this purpose.

#2 Energy consumption issue

There are concerns that an HVAC system installed in the attic will use more electricity and increase your monthly bills. However, modern high-efficiency furnaces won’t add much cost to your bills.

Meanwhile, pinhole leaks of heated or conditioned air from pipes and ducts pose a much greater threat. And leaky duct work is common with all types of furnaces regardless of location.

But by the way, there is one way to combat high electric bills. Check out this post: How to solar attic fan installation: The gadget that saves money.

#3 Maintenance issue

Many homeowners categorize attic furnaces as a disadvantage because they are so good that you forget to maintain them. We’re in the garage more often than in the attic, aren’t we?

So there are times when a leak or malfunction that you would have noticed immediately downstairs goes unattended for a long time. You will need to visit your attic furnace from time to time to avoid a hazardous situation.

Furnace in Attic Factors to Consider

Your attic furnace and air conditioning system installation is probably best left to the professionals, but you should still be aware of what to look out for. Professionally installed, your furnace in the attic will serve you well for years to come!

Types of attic furnaces

A gas or electric furnace is equally suitable for attic installation. Depending on the height of the ceilings, you can choose among vertical or horizontal attic furnaces. In any case, focus on the choice presented in your region.

Attic furnace cost

The average furnace costs between $2,700 and $6,500. A high-efficiency furnace will cost more in the moment but will save you money in utility bills later. Keep in mind that a high-efficiency model can cost twice as much as a traditional one.

An electric furnace is cheaper to install because it does not require a gas supply, вut in annual maintenance, the gas furnace wins out. An electric furnace in the attic will cost an average of 2,500 dollars and a gas furnace will cost about $1,500 a year.

Attic furnace requirements

Attic furnace installation must comply with approved Local Mechanical Code or International Mechanical Code (IMC) standards. Here are the dimensions that are current in most regions of the United States:

The passageway shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) high and 22 inches (559 mm) wide and not more than 20 feet (6096 mm) in length measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance.

ICC Digital Codes

Also, make sure that your attic is properly insulated. A poorly insulated space will result in a lower efficiency HVAC system.

Finally, if it’s a gas furnace, make sure the attic ventilation and alarm systems are in good working order. Gas leaks are hard to detect if the equipment is located in a hard-to-reach area.

FAQ

Attic Furnaces: Let’s Take Stock

So, an attic furnace has a fairly affordable installation, which is no more expensive than a basement furnace in any way. Placing it upstairs requires less ductwork than downstairs, which of course saves space and money. Still, the final decision factor is where you feel most comfortable placing the HVAC system and maintaining it. Wouldn’t it be a great solution to move the fan out of the vent bathroom fan into attic?