Furnace Enclosure

[plugnpl4y]

I'm read some of the other posts on here about enclosing furnaces... Mine isn't in a position to be put in a room as it's hanging from the ceiling.

The biggest concern with enclosing these seems to be ventilation. For that reason I'm thinking of just throwing up some particle board around the furnace on 3 sides, leaving the bottom open. The long side will be hinged for easy access to change the filter/service.

I want to anchor the side covers into ceiling rafters so they wouldn't necessarily be snug to the sides. You can see the tape lines in the photo. The left side would be snug but the long front and right side would have 12-24".

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Other than for serviceability access there is no reason you couldn't completely seal that unit up (within reason). It looks like a heat pump air handler, not a furnace. I see it has electric emergency heat coils but they will only come on if the fan is operating.
I would put a bottom, two short sizes and as you said a hinged panel on the front. You could even add a light to the bottom to illuminate your work area below.

 

[Sureshot]

Put a flag in front of it. What will you gain by enclosing it?

 

[Andx0r]

What will you gain by enclosing it?

At least one service tech who will never come back again if he has to work on it.

 

[plugnpl4y]

Thanks for the info. I intend to enclose it to tidy up the appearance; I'll color match it to the walls when I paint them. The enclosing panels will be easily removed if it needs servicing.