Options For Furnace Installation In A Home Without A Basement

Furnaces in the residential setting commonly are located in basements, where the appliance and ductwork are out of sight most of the time. People who buy a home with a different kind of heating system may be interested in furnace installation. How do heating contractors handle this work if the house doesn't have a basement? Installing the appliance in a first-floor utility room or an oversized closet are possibilities.

A house without a forced-air furnace might have electric baseboard heating or a below-floor model that radiates heat into the rooms on the first level. Some older houses may still rely entirely on a centrally located wood-burning stove. These could be unsuitable options for the new owners. Electric heat is expensive, and a floor furnace can be inadequate for warming an entire house. Most people do not want to depend solely on wood for heat.

Utility Rooms

A house with no basement typically has a utility room containing laundry machines and a water heater. A water softener might be located there too. This is where a heating contractor would likely recommend installing a furnace. The equipment then is not visible to guests unless they use the laundry facilities. It also is not part of the home's decor. Depending on the layout, the utility room may need to be redesigned and the other appliances moved to a different section. 

Oversized Closets

The furnace must have a minimum clearance on each, so contractors will not install one in a room without enough space. There also must be enough space for heating technicians to do maintenance and repair work. A general rule of thumb is to have at least 30 inches clear on all sides. The equipment should not be located in a sleeping space, but it could be placed in a large kitchen pantry or a big walk-in closet elsewhere in the building.

Ducts and Vents

This new system requires adding ducts and vents. Ducts can be hidden in closets and built-in cabinetry. If the house has a crawl space, that may be an option. Houses built on concrete slabs must have vents on the walls instead of the floors because there is no place to put ducts under the flooring.

Getting Started

Contacting a reputable heating and cooling service is the first step. The contractor comes to the home and evaluates the layout, and then offers advice on the best location for a new furnace. Once the homeowners decide to go ahead with the project, they can schedule the installation and look forward to their new heating system.

For more information about heating system installation, contact a local HVAC contractor.