Questions on New Furnace Installation

**Thomasm516** · 01-10-2011, 01:14 AM

I had a new York furnace installed just before Chirstmas, and I have a few questions about the installation. I don't recall the exact furnace model number at the moment, but I can dig that up and post it if that's relevant information to answering my questions.

First, I noticed that they installed the air intake vent above the exhaust vent. There is 4 or 5 inches of separation between the two, and the exhaust vent extends several inches further out from the side of the house than the intake. I asked about this because it seems like logically the exhaust vent would be above the intake--not below. Hot air rises, so my thinking is that when the exhaust vent is below in the intake, the hot air will rise and get sucked back in to the intake. Can that happen, and if it does, is it a problem?

Second, the size of both the intake and exhaust vents is only 2 5/8". The installer said that I would be able to find covers for the ends of the vents from any hardware store. But when I ask at any of the local hardware stores they direct me to either screen or grill type caps that are 3" to 4" in diameter. I've found nothing small enough for my vents. This makes me wonder if the installer used PVC piping that is too small. Currently, I have screen door mesh held in place with a O-ring clamp. Does the vent size matter? If so, what problems might be associated with intake and exhaust vents that are too small?

Third, for the first few days after the furnace was installed there was a drip from one of the elbow joints in the PVC pipes. The point of the drip was just above the furnace and it was dripping down onto the furnace. I put a cloth there to absorb the moisture until I could get the drip fixed, but then it stopped on its own. I've been checking the cloth each night and for the last couple of weeks it's been dry. Is this something that I need to worry about even though the drip has stopped, or can I assume that because the drip has stopped that it's a non-issue?

Thanks for any help that you can offer.

--Tom

**crmont** · 01-10-2011, 01:31 AM

Everything you need to know is in your installation manual. Look for "vent termination". Your venting should look like that.

**beenthere** · 01-10-2011, 05:02 AM

That termination configuration is not in any York manual that I know of.

The leak probably corroded shut for now. But will come back.

A screen on the exhaust, is an ice formation waiting to happen, which will cause you to have no heat when it gets colder outside.

**BaldLoonie** · 01-10-2011, 06:15 AM

Might post a picture but sounds like just asking for exhaust air to be sucked in the intake which can cause damage or the furnace to shut down.

**neophytes serendipity** · 01-10-2011, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Thomasm516

I had a new York furnace installed just before Chirstmas, and I have a few questions about the installation. I don't recall the exact furnace model number at the moment, but I can dig that up and post it if that's relevant information to answering my questions.

First, I noticed that they installed the air intake vent above the exhaust vent. There is 4 or 5 inches of separation between the two, and the exhaust vent extends several inches further out from the side of the house than the intake. I asked about this because it seems like logically the exhaust vent would be above the intake--not below. Hot air rises, so my thinking is that when the exhaust vent is below in the intake, the hot air will rise and get sucked back in to the intake. Can that happen, and if it does, is it a problem?

Proper vent termination is in the installation manual.

Originally Posted by Thomasm516

Second, the size of both the intake and exhaust vents is only 2 5/8". The installer said that I would be able to find covers for the ends of the vents from any hardware store. But when I ask at any of the local hardware stores they direct me to either screen or grill type caps that are 3" to 4" in diameter. I've found nothing small enough for my vents. This makes me wonder if the installer used PVC piping that is too small. Currently, I have screen door mesh held in place with a O-ring clamp. Does the vent size matter? If so, what problems might be associated with intake and exhaust vents that are too small?

PVC pipe sizing is measured by the ID (inside diameter) of the pipe.

Screens are a bad idea.

If they did the vent termination improperly, there is a good chance that the wrong pipe size was used.

Originally Posted by Thomasm516

Third, for the first few days after the furnace was installed there was a drip from one of the elbow joints in the PVC pipes. The point of the drip was just above the furnace and it was dripping down onto the furnace. I put a cloth there to absorb the moisture until I could get the drip fixed, but then it stopped on its own. I've been checking the cloth each night and for the last couple of weeks it's been dry. Is this something that I need to worry about even though the drip has stopped, or can I assume that because the drip has stopped that it's a non-issue?

Thanks for any help that you can offer.

--Tom

The drip is a sign of an improperly made glue joint. It needs to be cut out and redone. It is possible that the installer stuck the pipe together to check fit-up and forgot to glue it.

**crmont** · 01-10-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by beenthere

That termination configuration is not in any York manual that I know of.

I can't resist;

**beenthere** · 01-10-2011, 06:23 PM

And it doesn't show an intake above the exhaust configuration.

**weil-mclain** · 01-10-2011, 07:49 PM

i dont think it should be a problem to have the intake vent further in but to have it above the exhaust is odd, if the exhaust is further out tho take into consideration that the most exhaust the intake could breath in mixed with the outside air would be minimal if it were a complication for the system most likely the symptom would start off with low efficency, possibly lower rate of combustion due to the lack of clean air, but if it seems like that much of a problem simply buy some fittings and either pipe out the exhaust further or the intake higher, or both. i doubt your installer used too small of a pipe size, but it is allways a possibility, you can prob refer to the instruction manual to the furnace to find the minimal pipe size that unit can use, some hard ware stores just dont have what your lookin for too, if they were too small, symptoms would prob lead to studdering when running, the unit might be stressed, like wen you try to breath through a straw, it could work too hard to compensate for lack of airflow, or the unit breaker would continue to shut it off the unit for the same reason lack of air flow, as far as the drip, just watch and make sure it does not continue often when pvc is first installed it may need time for those joints to seal they use liquid cement, it might just not have dryed yet especially with the water running through it at this point, take my advice with caution, if you experience any probs just contact the installer, you should be able to bother him for free for about the next month or so.

**b26440510** · 01-10-2011, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by weil-mclain

as far as the drip, just watch and make sure it does not continue often when pvc is first installed it may need time for those joints to seal they use liquid cement, it might just not have dryed yet especially with the water running through it at this point

huh?

**Thomasm516** · 01-11-2011, 02:38 AM

I found the customer booklet and it shows the model number on the back. The furnace is a York YP9C080B12MP12CA.

I found the vent termination information in the booklet after crmont mentioned it. My vents do not look like what is shown in the booklet. As BaldLoonie suggested, I will try to get a picture posted. If I am reading the booklet correctly, and I am looking at figures 36 and 40, it looks like the exhaust vent should be 12" above the combustion air intake. I think that the remedy for my situation should be pretty straight forward.

A couple of people have mentioned that screens are a bad idea, and after thinking about it I can see how icing would be a problem, so I'll need to change that. However, I have yet to find a good picture that shows the proper way to terminate the vents. I assume there needs to be some sort of cover to keep rodents out of the vents. Can someone post a picture or a link that shows that?

Thanks for the all input thus far. It is greatly appreciated!

--Tom

**weil-mclain** · 01-11-2011, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by b26440510

huh?

its copper? my fault idk i thought he said pvc

**b26440510** · 01-11-2011, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Thomasm516

A couple of people have mentioned that screens are a bad idea, and after thinking about it I can see how icing would be a problem, so I'll need to change that. However, I have yet to find a good picture that shows the proper way to terminate the vents. I assume there needs to be some sort of cover to keep rodents out of the vents. Can someone post a picture or a link that shows that?

Some mfgs allow you to put a 90degree elbow on one pipe, but thats about it. No other "rodent proofing" is accepted by the mfgs from what I have gathered.

I've also read that pipes on the side of the house seem to be magnets for kids to put stuff into (dirt, toys, etc.). My furnace's mfg states that vertical venting (through the roof) is their preferred venting method.

**crmont** · 01-11-2011, 11:42 AM

This is a york supplied sidewall termination vent for 3" pipe. I installed it on a job just yesterday. As you can see it comes with it's own screen. The intake air is pulled from underneath that outside ring.

There is also a 2" version

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/attachment....1&d=1294764092

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