An upflow furnace receives air intake at the bottom of the unit before heating and discharging it at the top. Upflow is the most common configuration for residential furnaces, and they’re typically installed in the basement or a garage with a slab foundation.
The following upflow furnace installation tips can help you better maintain your home.
Upflow Furnace Installation Tips
- Check local building codes before you begin installation.
- Position the upflow furnace, making sure there’s proper clearance from regulators and relief equipment.
- Have the flue and fire stop inspected and cleaned before connecting the new furnace. The flue should clear the roof by at least 12 inches above the roof’s highest point.
- Confirm the vent cap is installed before connecting the vent pipe to the furnace.
- Then, connect the gas pipe to the furnace, using a wrench to tighten the gas fitting. Do not turn on the gas yet.
- Connect your ducts to the furnace. Your ducts should have been sized and inspected by your HVAC professional. Higher-efficiency furnaces, if sized correctly, are often smaller than the older furnaces they’re replacing.
- Cut PVC pipe lengths to extend from the furnace condensate line to the drain. Test the length before you glue the pipe.
- Next, prime the end of each piece of PVC using PVC primer. Allow this to dry for one minute, and then apply a layer of PVC cement.
- Afterwards, connect the electrical wires to the furnace. The wiring connected is for main power and the thermostat controls.
- Turn on the gas supply, pouring soapy water on the gas fittings to test for leaks.
- Once you’re confident there are no leaks, turn on the power supply and breaker, as well as the pilot.
- Finally, select the heat mode on your thermostat and set the temperature above room temperature and see how your new furnace runs.
For more details about upflow furnace installation for your Lorain home, please contact Energy1.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about upflow furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area