Do infinity supply and exhaust vents have to be insulated whe using a flu as a chase

[ron3637]

I have been told that I can use the chase of an old flue to run supply and exhaust vents up to the roof for a infinity carrier gas furnace. The run will be about 40 feet mostly in the chase. My question is do the lines have to be insulated? thanks

[tinknocker service tech]

if it is unconditioned and prone to freezing temps then yes the intake and exhaust need to be insulated

read the instalation book it will tell you

[ron3637]

Hi i live in washington dc and it gets cold in the winter so i take it that they have to be insulated? thanks

[ron3637]

How do contractors insulate the pipes? Can you buy them insulated? thanks

[karsthuntr]

I have never insulated pipes running up an old flue, I have never had a problem with it.

[toptwo]

is the chase on an outside wall??? even so i would think not.

[jibroni69]

if the chase runs through the middle of the house and say 10 feet is above the roof, i would say no. Make sure they fill the top of the chimney with insulation before capping it though.

[ron3637]

What about the instalation requirements of carrier which require it?

[jrbenny]

You need to hire another contractor if you don't trust them to read the install manual.

Or

You need to ask them for the install manual and you can follow them each step of the way. That will make the job go much smoother.

[ron3637]

The thing that concerns me is that several responses from installers on this board who I expect know the requirement feel its not necessay.

[jibroni69]

What about the instalation requirements of carrier which require it?


you mean the one that says if the pipes are 12' exposed to the outdoors? This is a semi tempered space. Plus when the pipes are vertical they will drain the condensate just fine.

[HVACSvc08]

You shouldnt have to insulate the vents. I have installed them thru the roof, chimney, walls,etc. and never had a problem. Some contractors do insulate the pipes for piece of mind. They use armeflex or the insulation that you would see on plumbing or refrigeration pipes

[tinknocker service tech]

contrary to popular opinion. Any time i run intake and exhaust pipes in an uncondition space that could be exposed to freezing temps i insulate then with armaflex

i have found even tho it more then likely will be ok what about that one time it isnt. As i have always said once bitten once learned

ran up a 20ft chase outside and didnt insulate the pipes and a real cold front came through exhaust froze at the bottom elbow. ***** to do after the fact when it doesnt take any longer to slide the armaflex over the pipe as you run

if this chases is unconditioned then most makers want the pipes to be insulated even in a garage or chase. I have yet to read where it says may need to be insulated if the space is unconditioned;)

[ron3637]

I think the installation instructions require insulation. The chase is in a chimmy that runs up the side of the house about 30 feet .

[tinknocker service tech]

one other reason for insulating at least the exhaust pipe in an uncodition space

even if frezing doesnt happen the cold air is denser and harder to push
the induce may have a harder time to move that colder air up and out
and experience a nusience pressure switch lock out till it pushes the colder air out. with insulation on the pipe the air will be hust a little warmer and not as hard to remove. this is just my opinion only