Furnace placement

[dfiler2]

I have a question for the HVAC guys, and anyone else with an opinion. I am building a shop inside another building. I’ll try to describe what I’m doing and what my concerns are. I have a 40 x 70 steel quonset, this is attached to a brick and block building. It was built in the 40’s as a theater. The front of the building had the entrance and the second floor had the projector room, the rear was the movie theater, it has since been converted to 4 apartments in the front area and the seating area was filled in and had concrete poured. Two large doors were added to the end of the steel building and I have been using it as cold storage. I decided to build a 40 x 28 shop in the back area up against the front brick and block building. I currently have it insulated and heated and am spending this winter getting it finished off inside. My question has to do with the placement of the furnace, there is a full basement in the front apartment area that I have access to from the shop. The floor of the basement is about 4’ lower than the shop and there is an opening between the two about 3’ x 3’ right in the middle, I would like to place the electric furnace in the basement of the apartments and blow the heat into the shop at floor level. I would have a cold air return at each end, again at floor level. The shop will be used for a lot of different things some would be working on a vehicle or two maybe ATV’s and mostly woodworking and restoration. My concern is pulling air from the shop into the apartment building then back into the shop. If everything is sealed well should I be concerned about the possibility of introducing carbon monoxide or other fumes into the basement? I would really like to place it there because it will be quiet and not take up any room in the shop. I currently have the furnace just sitting on the floor near the elec panel. Thanks in advance.

 

[pseudorealityx]

Thoughts:

1) A furnace isn't overly loud. If you need to, box it in with some plywood with insulation fastened to it to kill sound. Leave the top open for a path for combustion air.

2) I don't like floor supply/returns for a woodworking shop. Too much debris/dust to get into the system.

 

[dfiler2]

I left a 1' space between the block wall and the newly framed 2x6 wall so I could put the return air ducts off the floor. Are you suggesting they should be 6" up or 4'? Thanks

 

[pseudorealityx]

Wood dust is heavier than air. I'd keep it at high as possible and still be sure to switch filters on it pretty frequently. That's in addition to a dust collector system.

 

[dfiler2]

I'm a little surprised no one else has an opinion, did my question get too long?

 

[Showkey]

More of a question vs opinion.......An electric furnace in Minnesota ? $$$$$$

Any vehicle surface area with an attached low basement is always a huge concern for both CO and combustible fumes building up. It could actually be against code ????, garage heating devices having to be a certain distance off the floor.

 

[dfiler2]

Thanks that helps me make my decision. I also use electric for my home, here the power company has what they call "Off-Peak" rates, so I pay $.04 per KW. They can shut the heat off during high demand periods so you need a backup such as propane, oil, pellets or wood.