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Looking to enclose a furnace in the basement, probably 18-24" clearance around it. From what I read, modern high efficiency furnaces do not need room air for combustion, they suck it from outside. Ours has no markings to indicate that it is high efficiency, but it does have two white plastic pipes that appear to vent outside, one with a 90 elbow on it. I just wanted to confirm these are the air supply/exhaust and i can box them in with no problem. I will have access through a screwed in panel that can give full access if necessary.
I'd still put a louvered double-door in place to access the furnace for service/replacement. Since you are not 100% certain what you have and what are the requirements it doesn't harm anything to make the ventilation allowance. Live with it for a year and you'll not even notice it aesthetically, IMO.
Hi lacklustre,
Do you have the installation manual? Its all in there. If you don't have it; go to the manufacturer's website and read it or download it. Many new furnaces are " direct vent" meaning the combustion air comes from a dedicated pipe as you describe. Its all about what the manufacturer says though!
If you have plastic pipes you do have a high efficiency unit. However, what you describe, the plastic pipe with the elbow is probably the combustion air. If the two pipes go outside, then it is getting its combustion air from outside, however, yours sounds like its still on the inside.
You also have to leave room for servicing the unit (in front of the service panels). IF you make it too close, it will be a nightmare for anyone that has to work on the unit, or when you replace it. Keep that in mind.
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