O.T......Furnace Outside???

I finally got my new shop (24 x 36) all insulated, and am planning the placement of inside fixtures.

I was given a free 2 year old high efficiency gas forced air furnace and am trying to figure out where to put it. Can it be placed outside? It would be in a side bay, protected top, 2 sides, and bottom. The duct outlet on the furnace would be flush with the shop wall.

Can this be done? I figure it would be safer if the pilot light was outside of the shop.

Ideas?...Theories?...

Mikey

By the way, my elbow has been hurting for a while. Can someone on this forum tell me how to perform orthopedic surgery to fix it?

I appreciate all the info. When it comes to gas appliances and heavy duty electrical, I leave it to the pro's. I was just messing around with placement of different things like compressors, presses, sinks, the urinal, the fridge, and things like that. I'll give my guy a call this weekend.

Thanks!

Mikey

I really didn't mean to start an argument. T-Bone is probably right about hiring a pro, but as I said I'm still in the design stage. This little "discussion" reminds me of a couple of good ones over at the N board. Hey, it's gotta be better than beatin' the dog!

Mikey

Oh, by the way. Can I put a furnace outside?

Although I'm less certain of this answer if its a gas furnace.

I know several folks whom have electric furnaces outside.

It would take "books" written on the subject for someone to understand all that has to be considered for such installation.

Mikey, Please have someone install this unit for you as you will learn just enough here to hurt or kill you or your family if the unit is not installed correct!

T_Bone

Had you been in design, installing, teaching of HVAC systems for the past 32 years you would know that answer with having to ask me!

The answers was what I comenting about!

The only answer this post could have received was "maybe".

Mikey received a "maybe" from the two posters, so what did I have to add wihout writting a book?

I've been in the industry long enough to know when to try and keep someone from getting hurt.
And sir that is my number one concern.

T_Bone

Tomorrow is another day, hope a better one for you & everyone.

BTW: People helping others is a lot of what these boards are about for me, a grain or two of salt is sometimes needed. ;>}

As I stated there is many books one has to reference to answer such a seaming simple question.

This problem often arises from installation questions requarding gas or electrical appliances. The answers require alot of additional questions to arrive at an final answer.

The reason why it's not so simple is Safety for the owner and the owners neighbors. All the books written on the subject is refferened to safety and there not written in one simple book nor contained in a condensed version.

And thats the way it is and for a good reason:
Safety

T_Bone

T_Bone wrong? Not on this call!

For the slower people, let me pose another question they may relate too.
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- --

Gents,
I was given a 2yr old gas tractor that I want to rebuild inside my house. Can this be done? Can you also explain to me all I need to know how to take the measurements on every part to see if it needs rebuilt? I've never rebuilt a gasoline engine in my life!

I guess since the gas tank is full of gas I should do this outside!

Ideas?...Theories?...

Now remember there's no edit on this forum so if you make a mistake or want to add a thought and want to correct it, you can't! ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Now open Windows NotePad and start typing all that would be required on my above question and see how far you get before you want to quit wriiting your book!

It's not the same you say. BS!
Mikey has never instlled a GAS furnace and that relates to my statement that I've never rebuilt a gasoline engine in my life. Same thing folks!

Also remember that to get THERORY on how to get the tractor inside my house you'll need a copy of the:
UBC(Uniform Building Code)
NEC (National Electrical Code)
NGA (Nationl Gas Assoc. Code) NFPA (National Fire Protection Assc. Code) ASHRE (American Society of Heating & Refrigeration Engineers Codes) SMACNA(Sheet Metal Workers National Contractors Assoc.Codes)
And assuming he's in Phoenix, Az A copy of the Phoenix Bulding Code. Gees I think all major cities have building codes so it doesn't matter where he's at!

Now while your pondering on where to get the code books (you wouldn't want to give me the wrong info would you?), local library doesn't carry them, Please keep in mind that I don't want you to make a mistake typing all this info so that'll blow my house up and kill my family!

T_Bone

Bottom line, these units are not made for permanent outdoor installation but will "function" down to zero degrees or so. In the appliance industry it is generally assumed that this ability is only for starting up from a house or cabin that has been closed.

It's your call, but you still might want to check with your code official or insurance agent to see if you have other problems.

JohnP

As for the duct, you can buy insulated duct sections in most all common sizes from 24" to 120" depending upon the exact size and shape. Another thing to look for is a duct fire damper. Sometimes these can get expensive but you have to look at the safety factor and cost to replace everything should you have a fire. Most times the damper is much cheaper. These have a sensor that will close the damper if a fire/smoke is detected in the duct (once again depending upon the exact unit as to how it works)

You will need two ducts, one for hot air and one for return air. You don't want to be heating the cold outside air. Some heating units can be operated in a closed loop for a remote operation such as this and others cannot be. You need to do some research on the exact unit you have and see if it will work properly for the application. If you do locate the furnace inside the structure you are heating, be sure to allow plenty of clearance room around it and also adding a fire barrier around it is a real good idea.