HPAC Magazine

Manufacturers prohibit the use of furnaces for construction heat

February 27, 2017 | By HPAC Magazine



“Blower wheels have been subjected to the rigours of residential new construction. An accumulation of drywall dust will put the wheel out of balance and result in an annoying vibration. Its ability to move the required amount of air across the heat exchanger and evaporator coil has also been completely compromised,” Ian McTeer, HPAC columnist.

On February 1, 2016 the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) released a position paper stating that HRAI’s gas furnace manufacturers adopted a position to prohibit the use of their furnaces by homebuilders for heating during the construction process prior to occupancy.

After learning of the concerns raised by homebuilders, the manufacturers and contractors met with them on a number of occasions. Subsequently, manufacturers agreed to postpone the implementation date from September 1, 2016, to May 1, 2017. They also agreed to some standardized wording that will be included in their manufacturers’ installation instructions as follows: Gas furnaces manufactured on or after May 1, 2017, are not permitted to be used in Canada for heating of buildings or structures under construction.

Please take note that all HRAI furnace manufacturers have confirmed their support for this position. Several companies have already made revisions to their installation instructions accordingly.

For more information, contact Caroline Czajko at 800.267.2231 ext. 234 or e-mail cczajko@hrai.ca.

 

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