Cover ceiling in close during summer?

[lambfamily99]

Where we live it is almost 100 and humid in the summer. Would it hurt to pull some insulation over the opening/vent into the attic from our air handler/gas furnace in the closet. Of course we would not be running the heater and the gas pilot light would be off. When I open the closet it is so so hot in there.

Any thoughts?

[BigJon3475]

If I'm picturing correctly you could make it worse.

Little leaks in the air handler could be pulling air in from the attic.

If you remove the insulation it could provide a easier path for that air to travel.

Of course this is if I'm picturing it correctly. Pictures are worth a 1000 words.

[lambfamily99]

Sorry, we would put a new piece of insulation over the opening in the summer months. There is only a screen right now and no insulation covering the screen. The hot attic air comes down from that screen area. So, would it hurt to cover it for the summer months?

[ACking]

If the opening in your furnace closet is there to allow air to flow to the furnace, you should not block it off. That type of opening provides combustion air to the furnace and when a furnace does not get enough oxygen instead of a carbon dioxide byproduct it will produce carbon monoxide. If you forgot to take it out serious consequences could result.

Make sure there isn't any leaks on the suction side of the fan pulling down that hot air. Consider installing temperature activated attic exhaust fans.

[beenthere]

Due to the risk of forgetting to remove it before using the furnace, its a bad idea.

Sealing the return duct in the closet is a better idea.
The hot air is being pulled down because you are short on return.

[BigJon3475]

Due to the risk of forgetting to remove it before using the furnace, its a bad idea.

Sealing the return duct in the closet is a better idea.
The hot air is being pulled down because you are short on return.

That's what I was getting at heat rises not falls.

Most likely it's also using that air to supply the house which is increasing the supply temps.

[energy_rater_La]

why don't you insulate the door & weatherstrip it to keep the heat in the closet?
use ductboard..not foam boards..cut it to fit the inside of the closet door
liquid nail it in place and use button cap nails to hold it until liq nail dries..but
don't remove the button cap nails..you'll only be able to install them around the edges of the door where there is something to nail into.
Add a 1x at the floor where the door will close and make a seal with weatherstripping.

its not that it won't still be hot in there, but the heat will stay within the closet and
not transfer into the living space.

best of luck to you.

[BigJon3475]

why don't you insulate the door & weatherstrip it to keep the heat in the closet?
use ductboard..not foam boards..cut it to fit the inside of the closet door
liquid nail it in place and use button cap nails to hold it until liq nail dries..but
don't remove the button cap nails..you'll only be able to install them around the edges of the door where there is something to nail into.
Add a 1x at the floor where the door will close and make a seal with weatherstripping.

its not that it won't still be hot in there, but the heat will stay within the closet and
not transfer into the living space.

best of luck to you.

Wouldn't that be more of a band aid?

Having the air handler in conditioned space is a goal to try and achieve from having it in the hot attic...or surrounded by hot air.