Is It A Good Idea To Put An Electric Furnace In The Attic?

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Is It A Good Idea To Put An Electric Furnace In The Attic?

Modern furnaces are wonderfully efficient, but they do take up space in your Waterford, MI or Oxford, MI home. Most of the time a furnace is installed in a basement, hall closet, or maybe a garage; but Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing wants you to consider another option. Many times, an electric furnace can be installed in the attic.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

There are a surprising number of benefits to an attic installation. The list includes:

  • EASE OF INSTALLATION
    • As long as there is good access, an attic furnace installation can actually be easier. Many modern electric furnaces can be installed vertically or horizontally depending on the configuration of the attic. There is almost always plenty of space for the installers to work when compared to a cramped closet.
  • FREES UP STORAGE SPACE
    • Moving an electric furnace out of a closet, basement or garage gives you more usable storage space which is extremely valuable for most families. Why not take advantage of all that empty space in the attic?
  • ATTIC PROVIDES PROTECTION
    • Furnaces installed in a basement or on the ground floor are more prone to flood damage. It could happen because of severe weather or a broken water pipe, but when electric furnaces are damaged by water the only choice may be a system replacement.

LESS EFFICIENT

So, why aren’t all furnaces installed in attics? There are certainly some drawbacks that should be considered. An electric furnace in an attic is going to be naturally less efficient. To know why, all you have to do is remember your high school science class. Hot air rises so having an attic installation is a bit like swimming upstream. The heated air must be pushed down to heat the entire house. If you decide to do an attic furnace installation, make sure to choose a high-efficiency model. 

OUT OF SIGHT & OUT OF MIND

Another drawback is that an attic furnace installation means problems may go unnoticed until the electric furnace actually breaks down. After all, who really goes into their attic on a regular basis? Additionally, any unusual sounds will be less noticeable and it becomes easier to forget about the little things like changing the filter on a regular basis.

CALL KOTZ TO LEARN MORE

If you are doing a new furnace installation or a system replacement, call Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to find out if an attic installation is a good choice for your Waterford, MI or Oxford, MI home. Learn more about the services Kotz offers by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.