Learn about Downflow / Horizontal

ManualsBrandsGoodman Manualsforced air96% 40,000 BTU Downflow/Horizontal Furnace

from your old one, ductwork will need to be adapted to get the

new furnace to t properly. A sheet metal transition kit makes

replacing an existing forced air furnace easier.

Furnace Mounting Blocks

Furnaces installed in a basement are subject to water damage

should water enter there. It is a good idea to mount the furnace

on a support to keep it a few inches o the oor. Bricks can be

used, or specially designed furnace mounting blocks.

Humidiﬁer

When a forced air furnace runs in the

winter it consistently dries the air. Dry air

in the home can cause dry skin, nose and

throat discomfort and static electricity.

It also can cause wood oors and wood

trim in your home to shrink, walls to crack

and wood instruments to warp. You can

replenish moisture levels in your home

by installing a whole-house humidiﬁer.

The humidier connects to your furnace

ducting and home water supply and will

operate automatically as needed.

Air Cleaner

An air cleaner unit mounts between a furnace and the return

air duct to capture airborne particles such as dust, pollen, bac-

teria, dander and spores. Some units are non-electric “media”

and some have combined media and electric functionality such

as the Aprilaire 5000 which perform even better. Consumer

Reports says that “among the top performing whole house

models are the Aprilaire 5000 . . .” Performance is measured in

terms of eciency at trapping micron-sized particles. (A human

hair is 100 microns in diameter.) Removing a higher percent-

age of contaminants from the air may reduce the incidence of

associated illnesses and allergy symptoms. Select an air cleaner

based upon how many particulates it captures, as well as one

with dimensions that most closely match your furnace’s or air

handler’s dimensions where the air cleaner will be installed.

Fresh Air Ventilation System

According to the EPA, indoor air is 5 times more polluted than

the outdoor air. It is recommended to install an air exchanger

or fresh air ventilation system to bring outdoor air into your

home. Doing so will increase the oxygen in the home, as well as

reduce carbon dioxide (which builds up when people breathe)

as well as reduce other pollutants that are in home air such as

airborne chemicals from cleaning materials, paint, furniture,

pressboard and insulation (used in construction), plastics and

personal cosmetics.

There are two kinds of air ventilation systems. The best type

brings in fresh air from the outdoors, and also expels stale

indoor air at the same time. These systems cost about $1,100–

$1,500, such as the Aprilaire 8100. The second type just pull

in fresh air automatically based on outside air temperature,

humidity, and your home’s size. Systems like this cost around

$200-$300, such as the Aprilaire 8126.

Ultraviolet Puriﬁer

An ultraviolet puriﬁer mounts on your furnace’s duct system

and emits short-wave ultraviolet light into the ducts. This

germicidal light kills a high percentage of micro-organisms in

the air passing by it. U.V. technology has been widely used in

hospitals, pharmacies, kitchens and water treatment plants to

kill airborne and surface microorganisms like mold, bacteria,

viruses and fungus. Reducing bacteria and pathogens in the

home may reduce the incidence of associated health problems.

UV Puriers cost between $200–$500.

Zone Controls

Last but not least is the option to add zone controls to your

forced air system. Zoning controls can be added to any forced

air furnace as an accessory. A zone controlled furnace allows

you to adjust the temperature in various parts of your home

independently, a luxury you might enjoy. Each area of the

home has its own thermostat, and you can set the temperature

for what you like for heating (and cooling) for just that area. For

example, you might want your living room and dining room

to be set at 71 degrees, but maybe you like it warmer in your

bedroom at 75 degrees. You can do that with a zone controlled

furnace system.

You get to pick how many zones you want to have, from 2