Perhaps the first thought that crosses many minds when it is time to install a furnace — particularly when replacing a small antiquated unit with a new, high-efficiency one — is a question: “Where am I going to find the room to put it?”
Most people choose the basement or a closet, but if either of those spaces do not present themselves as ideal then other options need to be found.
It turns out that for many homes, a very convenient place to place a furnace is in the attic. There is a common misconception that this is not possible for high efficiency furnaces. Not so! As long as you have a fully insulated attic, there are rarely instances when we would advise against an attic installation. It is important to note, the optimal conditions for an attic installation is when the attic is fully insulated, making it a conditioned space.
The trick to the installation of a gas furnace in an attic space is routing the condensate drain from the attic down through the core of the house to the basement. This drain removes the excess water that a heating system will generate. The drain must be installed through the core of the house — as water will be flowing during the colder months. If the drain is located too close to the outside of the home it may freeze in the coldest of winter weather.
If an attic installation is possible in your home, it can be a great option for many homeowners. But please, use a top-notch contractor! We have seen too many poorly installed draining systems and have been called on too many emergency calls for cracked units and tubes due to freezing.
The installation team at CPS has a variety of products and services that can find the best fit for you and your family. If you have any questions feel free to contact us online or by phone (508-460-6691).
