Attic Hvac Requirements

The intent of this tip sheet is to provide a general understanding of the code requirements and does not address the subject in great detail.

Attic hvac requirements.

Traditionally building codes have required attic ventilation. Sometimes air conditioned air will seep right through your ducts and become useless instead of heating and cooling your home. Vented attics can be effective as long as hvac ducts are not located in them and the ceiling deck is well air sealed and insulated. The intended purpose was to allow warm air and moisture to escape.

These are significant challenges. Attic and hvac requirements. 2016 energy code changes. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

The following are attic furnace installation requirements based on 2009 irc and 2009 imc the codes refer to it as appliances in attics. First off attic installations are among my least favorite applications from a serviceability system longevity and a laundry list of other items. Attic furnace passageway and service area electrical requirement. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves.

Most updated central air conditioned homes have a new air conditioner split system meaning the ac is broken up into parts. Posted february 3 2017 by rick cowperthwaite. Here in florida it s just a bad idea due to the high humidity and temperature in a vented attic and the condensation issues that can and usually does occur on the equipment. The california energy commission updates the building energy efficiency standards title 24 parts 6 and 11 every three years by working with stakeholders in a public and transparent process.

Attic hvac systems also require shorter ducts. There will be less duct leakage. Here s why that is a good thing. Residential attic hvac equipment july 1 2016 this tip sheet reflects code requirements of the 2015 international residential code irc.

An outdoor unit which houses the fan condenser and compressor and an indoor unit which holds the evaporator and fan. To continue locating hvac systems in the attic space. Attic furnace access passageway and platform. One of the main purposes of the 2016 energy code is to cut down on the amount of energy that home owners use on a regular basis.

So why put an hvac system up in the attic at all. Well mainly it s a way to save space. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. California s energy code is designed to reduce wasteful and unnecessary energy consumption in newly constructed and existing buildings.

Additional information can be obtained from your local. All ducts are at risk for this type of leakage. Duct leakage causes a lot of problems including less. Attic hvac systems save space.