New (to me) workshop heating help

[Alexsha]

Just bought a new to us home and as a bonus, I got a 24x24 fully insulated workshop in the deal. Came with a ruud furnace mounted on it's side up near the ceiling. Open top and open bottom. I don't think there's a filter on the intake side so I need to deal with that. On the output side air can get around the heat exchanger so while the shop is cold, it blows a mix of hot and cold/ambient air. What's my best option here for efficiency and safety? I was hoping I could just do a short run of 14" round duct. Is that enough to get the air heated properly? I've got smarts and talents and can figure out most things, but I'm an HVAC newbie so I'd like as much info as I can get before I went my toes.

 

[yeldogt]

First thing would be to get the manual -- check for proper installation. That looks like a dryer vent ... please make sure it's properly installed. People do really dumb things .....

The ability to heat (or cool) a space with a single source point depends on insulation/ air leaking. 24x24 is not that large .. with decent insulation --- works. Comfort is obtained when the load is matched ... but lot sof garages are heated with hanging heaters.

The issue you have -- That looks like a common furnace that would go in a house. Make sure it's installed correctly. A typical hanging garage heater has an outlet that directs down -- adding some duct control to your set up .... get the heat down to the floor would help.

 

[James-W]

If it were me, what I would do is call a heating/cooling company and have someone stop by and check out the heater and the installation. Someone who has been in the business a long time could no doubt tell you exactly what's up with it.

I think what "yeldogt" said is a very good start, getting a manual for it would be a really good idea and would help you to determine if it was installed in the right way. But a competent heating/cooling tech will have seen and worked on many types of heaters and will be able to tell you right away if what you have is a good thing, or an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Alexsha]

Yes, it's a home furnace.

Yes, the exhaust is corrugated dryer vent.

The insulation on the shop is excellent. With the roll up door and man door closed the temperature stays pretty consistent.

Turns out I have a neighbor that works in HVAC. I guess I'll have him check it out.

 

[BD1]

You may want to check your homeowners insurance policy. Many garages and outbuildings require heaters approved that use. A typical home furance is not recommended and many will not be covered if a claim is submitted.


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[Showkey]

You may want to check your homeowners insurance policy. Many garages and outbuildings require heaters approved that use. A typical home furance is not recommended and many will not be covered if a claim is submitted.


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The only real garage heater requirement is off the floor by some measurement usually 18-24”.

OP likely issue is that vent should be PVC not drier vent.

 

[Alexsha]

OP likely issue is that vent should be PVC not drier vent.

That will be an easy fix at least. It's a very short run. Just up through the ceiling, then straight out the back.

 

[nmk_61802]

The only real garage heater requirement is off the floor by some measurement usually 18-24”.

OP likely issue is that vent should be PVC not drier vent.

Only if it is a 90+ furnace, otherwise should be b-vent in the attic

 

[The Cobbler]

as others have said, it may be rated for that. it looks like a shoddy install with the extension cord, a rubber supply line , drier vent exhaust etc.
furnaces need a bit of a restriction on the heat side so they achieve the proper temperature rise from incoming to outgoing air.
good idea to get your neighbor involved.

 

[mm08822]

Wouldn't this orientation have a few issues:

• blower motor & vent motor bearings loaded wrong
• flame hitting heat exchanger at wrong location
• CO2 building up in the top of the housing
• chance of collecting ng in top of unit
• vents are now on the side - how can it properly vent now

I would think that unit has to turn 90 degrees at a minimum to just be safe nevermind effective.

 

[The Cobbler]

^^ some furnaces are rated for several different orientations, it would indicate in the manual

 

[Alexsha]

Rheem RGPS-10EBRGR 80% Natural Gas Upflow/Horizontal MultiPositional Tier III Gas Furnace, 100000 BtuH (converted to LPG)

 

[Alexsha]

as others have said, it may be rated for that. it looks like a shoddy install with the extension cord, a rubber supply line , drier vent exhaust etc.
furnaces need a bit of a restriction on the heat side so they achieve the proper temperature rise from incoming to outgoing air.
good idea to get your neighbor involved.

Extension cord is a pretty heavy gauge, but wiring it directly is on my list.
Supply line is to a 100lb propane tank.
Dryer vent line will be replaced with PVC.

I need to figure out the proper setup for the outgoing side to get that restriction.

 

[brewchief]

Vent for an 80% furnace should be either 26ga single wall pipe to B vent or B vent all the way. A furnace like that is rated for a vertical vent only, if it goes through the ceiling then out the wall it's incorrect.

The placement of the vent will make adding a supply plenum difficult. If the vent needs to be redone I would move it out of the way of the supply and go straight up through the roof.

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[Alexsha]

I think the vent run is less than 4 ft total. I'm guessing that doesn't make a difference... Kinda ***** to have to patch 2 holes and make 2 new ones.

 

[mm08822]

^^ some furnaces are rated for several different orientations, it would indicate in the manual

I checked in the manual. This unit is approved for installation as OP has.

 

[yeldogt]

The flue needs to be fixed correctly ..... length being short does not matter -- it has to be correct.

 

[walta]

Please have every inch of your house checked. Anyone that would install a furnace the way this one is has no problem with killing people to save money on labor.

1 Your furnace is not vented per the manufactures instructions.
2 Your furnace is not wired to code.
3 Your gas line is not installed to code.
4 My guess is your furnace is closer to the wall and the ceiling than allowed per the instructions.
5 Without a filter or ductwork the blower motor most likely moving too much air and overloading the motor.
6 My guess is if you read the instructions for this furnace it will have a minimum operating temperature of about 50°, making this furnace unsuitable for intermittent use in your garage.


PS with so many red flags how did this mess get past the pre purchase home inspection?


Walta

 

[Alexsha]

All the HVAC in the house was installed by a reputable HVAC company. It's just the workshop that was done by the previous homeowner.

The only thing that wasn't inspected was that workshop furnace. I've gone over that report thuroughly. I figured I would have to fix up up and at worst, take it down and completely reinstall.

With the furnace off and the temps being in the 30s and lower, the workshop easily stays in the mid 40s. Running the furnace to keep the temps in the 50s would not cost much.

Working on getting my neighbor over to check it out.