QA

Question: How Does A Furnace Get Fresh Air

The air that surrounds the furnace is pulled into conventional furnaces. So if you have a fresh air intake vent, the air that is being replaced around the furnace will come from outside the house. If you don’t have the vent, then the air comes from crawl spaces, attic, dryer vents, and other areas.

Does my furnace bring in fresh air?

Since high efficiency furnaces draw air directly from outside, the furnace itself does not require a fresh air intake in order to replace inside air that otherwise would have been drawn from the room the furnace is located in. No matter what kind of furnace you have installed, the system will push air out of your home.

Where does your furnace get air from?

Typically a furnace will suck air from inside of the house (probably the vent behind your couch), pass it over the heat exchanger, and blow the now hot air out of the vents in your rooms.

Does a furnace draw air from outside?

A high-efficiency furnace draws air from outside the home since it is very energy efficient. In other furnaces, the air is drawn from inside the house and recirculated. Then, the air needs to be passed through a heat exchanger for it to distribute heat throughout your home’s ductwork.

Does furnace pull air from basement?

When the furnace fan comes on to push cold air through the duct, the hole you describe would pull more air from the basement than from the rooms. As the system tries to push more air into rooms that are not losing air, resistance would build. The result is you won’t get the cooling comfort you seek.

Does running furnace fan clean air?

By running the furnace fan all the time, you are also running air through your furnace filter constantly. If you have an efficient filter and a UV light, you are constantly filtering and cleaning the air. This results in healthier indoor air quality for your family and less dust on your furniture.

Is a fresh air intake necessary?

Fresh air intakes are necessary for any home that has a furnace. Whether you have a conventional furnace or a high-efficiency option installed, there are downsides to not having a functional, fresh air intake.

How do you get cool air from basement to rest of house?

Keep your basement door open to easily allow cool air to enter the rest of the house. Install a ceiling fan near your basement entrance, such as in the kitchen near your basement doorway, to promote circulation of basement air into the rest of the home.

Is it OK to leave furnace fan on all the time?

Furnace fans are designed to run all the time, so there’s no need to worry about it failing prematurely. Much of a furnace fan’s wear and tear comes from the starts and stops of the motor; keeping it running can eliminate this type of stress.

Is it better to have furnace fan on auto or on?

Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. If your fan runs continuously, moisture does not have a chance to drip outside. It blows back into your home and your AC works hard to remove extra moisture from the air.

How long should furnace run before shutting off?

Running 10 to 15 minutes per cycle seems acceptable. So is running as long as 20 minutes. Even running every seven or eight minutes may not be a problem, as other factors could lead to more frequent cycling.

Where is the fresh air intake in my house?

It is an open duct that goes from an outside vent that serves as a path for clean fresh air into the home. It often goes to the room where the furnace is or the basement. Newer homes will have several of these due to stricter building codes.

How is fresh air calculated?

For the example above the fresh air requirement would be: Occupancy rate = Floor area (m²)/Floor area per person (m²) For an office computer room, the figure for this application would be 25m². Quantity of air (L/s) = Occupancy rate x Rate/person (L/s per person).

How much fresh air does a house need?

The Amount of Fresh Air You Need It states that every hour the home should receive 0.35 air changes or 35% of its total volume of air. So, the exact amount of fresh air your home needs depends on its size. ASHRAE recommends that this amount should not be less than 15 cubic feet of air per minute per person.

Should I open my basement vents in winter?

Closed air vents increase heating costs Those rooms with closed vents will become colder than the rest of the house, forcing your furnace or heat pump to use more energy to try and maintain a consistent temperature. Leave your heating vents open to lower your heating bills this winter.

Is it okay to close basement vents in summer?

You can safely close your basement air vents in the summer, yes. You’ll want to do so intermittently, though, instead of leaving them closed for several weeks at a time. If you consistently want to keep your vents closed, be sure to rotate which vents you shut at least every two days.

How do I keep my basement warm in the winter?

How to Keep Your Basement Warm During the Winter Have Plenty of Insulation. Seal Cracks and Gaps. Install Carpet or Use Rugs. Watch Your Thermostat. Turn On a Space Heater. Maintain the Right Humidity Level. Keep Your Furnace in Working Condition.