Furnaces - Anyone?

[Smitty8612]

I need to replace my furnace. I received a brand new furnace as a gift but it is an upward flow, my existing furnace has the airflow coming in from the side...does anyone know if this is going to be a huge project or if it is a simple fix? I have a furnace guy coming on Wednesday or Thursday to look at it and give me a price. Just want to know what to expect.

 

[Hillbilly77]

I assume you're talking about a forced-air unit?
Is your existing furnace sitting on the floor or up on blocks or something similar?
It sounds like it could be just a case of possibly re-routing some of the ductwork to attach to the plenum on the new furnace.

Any way you could post a pic or two?

 

[Smitty8612]

i wont be able to tonight...possibly tomorrow but the furnace guy may have been there and gone by then. If he hasnt been there tomorrow evening i can post pics then

 

[Smitty8612]

but the existing furnace is sitting on the ground no blocks or anything like that under it

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

From my experience, you sound good to go, with a bit of sheet metal work. Ivan

 

[Hillbilly77]

but the existing furnace is sitting on the ground no blocks or anything like that under it

You'll most likely have to re-route the ductwork then. Shouldn't be a huge deal.
Not a difficult job but can be time consuming.
If you attempt to do it yourself wear leather work gloves - ductwork can cut you open like a razor.

 

[carpriver]

When my furnace was in stalled 20years ago there were knock out panels on the top and side to use to connect the phylum and exhaust and fresh air intake.

 

[Seneca]

There are two " airflow " paths in any furnace; a supply and return. Typically the return air comes in the side of an upflow furnace, through a filter and is pushed by the blower, up and across the heat exchanger and out through the supply opening on the top. If you have A/C, the evaporator coil sits on the top opening of the furnace also and is enclosed by the sheetmetal supply plenum. If your present furnace is an upflow there should only be minor sheetmetal transitions that have to be made to tie the new furnace to the existing ductwork. However, there are many other considerations with changing furnaces. For instance, is this new furnace sized properly for your house and existing ductwork? If not you are asking for a lifetime of trouble and repairs. Best wait till your professional takes a look at your setup and gift furnace before acting.

 

[eveled]

Sounds like what we call a "highboy" The return air duct goes to the blower compartment on the bottom, (under the heat exchanger). It doesn't matter which side or if directly into the bottom. Just a matter of were you put the hole and attach the plenum.

A "lowboy" has the return and supply plenums going into the top of the unit the blower is behind the heat exchanger.