Why are AC units in the attic?

One reason that AC units go up in attics is because they are cheaper and easier to install. It is a lot simpler for your installer to leave ductwork loose, rather than having to cover it and wind it through floors and walls.

Should I put an air conditioner in my attic?

The attic is one of the most problematic HVAC areas in the summer. The immense heat that is generated in the attic can increase your cooling costs by several $100/year. It's basically a hot and humid mess on top of your house. That's why it's smart to install an attic air conditioner.

What is the AC unit in the attic called?

Most often, air handlers are located in the attic, basement or a dedicated closet, and may closely resemble the shape of a gas furnace. As its name suggests, an air handler “handles” the air inside your home and delivers warm or cool indoor air throughout your entire home.

Why is my air handler in the attic?

Easier to Cool Higher Levels

One of the advantages of an attic AC handler installation is that it makes it easier to cool the higher levels of the home, if you have a multi-story home. Without a handler in the attic, circulating air to higher levels can be more challenging.

Is it better to have HVAC in basement or attic?

Bottom line, most technicians will tell you there isn't a massive difference between servicing a basement HVAC system and servicing a system up in the attic. Some pests prefer the attic, but other pests prefer the basement (or the garage, or that big storage closet of yours).

What is a residential HVAC split system

Why do builders put furnace in the attic?

An attic furnace, or any furnace that is located above ground level, is less likely to flood. Installing a heater in the attic provides safety in flood-prone locations. Even when furnaces are installed on the main floor, floodwaters frequently overflow the first floor, severely damaging the equipment.

Is it bad to have a furnace in the attic?

A furnace installed in the attic forces warm air to the bottom floor instead of letting it rise naturally, as it will from the basement. That may lead to higher energy bills and less efficiency.

Is it safe to put gas furnace in attic?

Yes, you can install a furnace in your attic. Attic furnaces may be an excellent option for people with limited space or if your house doesn't have a suitable basement or closet. To avoid any problems with attic installation, it is best to have an attic furnace installed by professionals.

Does a furnace need to be in the middle of the house?

Furnaces should be installed in your basement or a mechanical room near the center of your house — not in a vented attic, vented crawl space, or garage. Sadly, this illustration comes from the web site of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

Where is the furnace usually located?

Typically your furnace is centrally located in the home. It is usually located in an area such as a utility closet (by a cold air return), garage, attic, basement, or crawlspace; in the case of a heat-pump (a dual-system) it will be located outside of the home.

Can I vent my furnace out the side of my house?

If your furnace has an AFUE rating of 90 percent or above, it will have a flue pipe that goes out of the side of your house. That's because the combustion byproducts are in a liquid form, so they need to be drained out of your home in a similar way that the condensation from your air conditioner is drained outside.

Can your furnace be in the garage?

To run most efficiently, your furnace will need a space with ample fresh air, a source of natural gas, and proper ventilation. These necessary components can be found in large spaces like basements, utility rooms, and garages as well as confined spaces like an attic or closet.

Can you put ductwork in the attic?

The best place for ductwork is inside the thermal boundary of the house, not in an unconditioned, vented attic. Running unprotected ductwork through an attic can court problems. Particularly in hot-humid climates, moisture can collect on the outside of ducts in summer.

How much is an attic furnace?

Whether you choose horizontal or vertical, gas or electric, every home will have different requirements that make having a furnace in your attic both efficient and functional. The average cost of a furnace can range from $2,799 – $6,745 and the price will vary based on a number of variables.

Can you put a 90 percent furnace in an attic?

It's just as safe for it to be in the attic as it is in the basement. Keep a 90 percent furnace out of an attic if you have cold temperatures. If it's less than 90 percent it will be less efficient.

How do I maintain my attic furnace?

How do I keep my attic warm in the winter?

Where is the best place to put a HVAC system?

Center of Home

If possible, the indoor unit should be placed in the center of your home. This will reduce the amount of ducting needed, which also reduce the amount of work your unit has to take on. So, you'll save money on your energy bill and also make repairs easier and cheaper.

Is duct work better in the attic or crawl space?

AC ducting will work better in the attic as the colder air will enter the rooms and flow down. Hot air will rise into the returns. Where are you getting the info that crawl space is more efficient? Maybe less heat transfer into the ducts, but air flow will be worse.

What is the disadvantage in having ducts in the ceiling?

Cons of ceiling vents

Exposes HVAC system to unconditioned spaces – Attics tend to be dusty and prone to extreme temperatures, which can add wear-and-tear on the equipment and increase heat transfer loss.

Can you put AC condenser in attic?

Placing a condenser unit indoors in an attic or garage will reduce your system's air supply, which will limit the amount of heat that it's able to remove from your home. In addition, placing a condenser unit indoors will cause the space around it to heat up, and that heat can radiate into your home's living spaces.