What is a downflow furnace
Isabella Wilson
Published Apr 12, 2026
A downflow furnace expels hot air from areas such as the attic, which ends up heating an individual’s head and upper extremities first, rather than from the bottom up. This can lead to physical discomfort because of the direction of which the hot air is originating.
When should you use a downflow furnace?
If your home has a low attic, a furnace installed for horizontal flow is the next-best choice. In short, a downflow furnace is the energy-efficiency choice in climates where the cooling season is long, warm and/or humid.
What is an updraft furnace?
An updraft furnace pulls in air from the bottom of the unit and sends heated air upward into the duct system. Updraft furnaces are commonly mounted in basements or in sealed below-grade crawlspaces. …
What does downflow mean?
Definition of downflow : a downward flow or something that flows down especially : a downward flowing current of air.What is an upflow furnace?
An upflow furnace or air handler is configured for installation in an upright position and circulates air through the side or bottom and exhausts it out through the top. It’s typically used in basement, closet and attic installations.
How do I know if my AC is upflow or downflow?
These terms refer to the direction the air flows as it is taken in and heated by the furnace. So in an upflow furnace, the cool air is taken in at the bottom, warmed, and then expelled at the top. A downflow furnace, on the other hand, takes in cool air at the top and expels heated air at the bottom.
What's the difference between an upflow and a downflow furnace?
What’s the difference? Getting right to it, the fundamental difference between the two is in the direction of air flow in and out of the furnace. A Upflow furnace takes in existing air from the bottom of the furnace and blows out filtered warm/cool air through the top. A downflow furnace works in the opposite way.
Is my furnace under the house?
Typically, your furnace is centrally located in the home. You can usually find it in an area such as a utility closet (by a cold air return), a garage, an attic, basement, or crawlspace.Where does the evaporator go on a downflow furnace?
In a downflow furnace application, the air conditioner evaporator coil will sit below the furnace. In most applications, the furnace air filter will reside above the furnace, and the evaporator coil will sit near the ground or floor.
What is an upflow indoor coil?Upflow/Downflow Coil Design Boosts Your Cooling Power A sloped drain pan and corrosion-resistant coil reinforce its reputation for long lasting reliability and its included outer cabinet is designed to match your Bryant system.
Article first time published onHow do I know if I have a downflow furnace?
First of all, your HVAC unit’s placement can give you a good idea of the airflow direction. Furnaces located in an attic or upper story are most likely downflow furnaces. When it’s located in the basement or crawlspace of the home, you likely have an upflow furnace.
What is a downflow air handler?
Also known as “downdraft” or “counterflow” furnaces, downflow furnaces are designed to bring in cool air through the top of the air handler and release heated air from the bottom. These models are usually installed in the attic or, less often, in a closest on the home’s main floor or in the garage.
What's the difference between updraft and downdraft?
In the same way, air that is cooler than its environment tends to sink as long as it can stay cooler than its surroundings. The upward moving air in a thunderstorm is known as the updraft, while downward moving air is the downdraft.
Who makes Mr Cool furnace?
HVAC RepCo Appointed as Manufacturer’s Rep for MRCOOL.
Why was my furnace installed upside down?
A: Short answer: New models of furnaces allow this upside-down installation. Why is that? … Conversely, if the return side is physically at the bottom of the furnace, the cold air enters from below, the furnace heats it, and the hot air is propelled into the supply side above the furnace.
How many BTUs do I need?
Area To Be Cooled (square feet)Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour)100 to 1505,000150 to 2506,000250 to 3007,000300 to 3508,000
Where does the coil go in a downflow furnace?
UPFLOW INSTALLATION The standoff is inserted into the cabinet alignment hole. The drill screws are inserted through the standoffs then screwed into the furnace flange. The coil is always placed downstream of the furnace air- flow.
Where is the evaporator coil located in a furnace?
Unlike condenser coils that are located outside your home in the condensing unit, the evaporator coils are located behind a panel on top of the furnace.
Where does the coil go on a furnace?
Located inside the blower compartment or air handler, the evaporator coil holds the chilled refrigerant that the compressor moves into it. As the air from the blower fan moves over the coil, the cold refrigerant removes the heat from your home’s air.
How do I know if I have a furnace?
If it is a gas furnace, there will be a small window on the front of the furnace where you should see a blue glowing flame. You should also be able to hear the noise from the gas burner. Electric powered furnaces do not have a glass window with a blue flame and do not make any noise when idle.
Can furnace be outside?
Placing a gas furnace outdoors is an option for homeowners with limited space or the need for a large furnace that would be difficult to install inside. Outdoor gas furnaces burn natural gas and can keep an entire home warm throughout the winter months for a minimal cost.
Is N coil better than a coil?
N-shaped coils get much better results, however, because they allow for more overall coil surface area inside the unit, allowing them to accommodate more refrigerant and absorb or release more heat — without requiring larger equipment.
Do all furnaces have evaporator coils?
They use the coil to distribute heat gathered outside. Not all furnaces have a coil. If the system does not include central air conditioning, there is no need for a coil. If AC is part of the system, the furnace will contain a coil.
How much is a new AC coil?
Coil CapacityPart OnlyInstallation Cost1.5-2.0 ton$575 – $800$475 – $6502.5 ton$625 – $975$535 – $7503.0 ton$735 – $1,055$600 – $8353.5 ton$775 – $1,025$775 – $985
What are the 4 types of gas furnace airflow patterns?
The four types of gas furnace air flow patterns are? Upflow, downflow, horizontal left and horizontal right.
How close can a cold air return be to the furnace?
First consideration is the location of the unit, itself. Return air cannot come from a closet, bathroom, kitchen, garage or mechanical room. If the sole source of return air is in the same room as unit, the return source must be located more than 10 feet from the unit.
What types of things can cause an updraft?
Updrafts are found when a wind blowing at a hill or mountain has to rise to climb over the hill. Updrafts can also be caused by the sun heating the ground. The heat from the ground warms the surrounding air, which causes the air to rise.
What is convective updraft?
Convective updraft Convection is the vertical transport of rising air in the atmosphere as a result of atmospheric instability. It can lead to condensation and cloud formation. Warm air masses rise when there is a positive lapse rate.
Who makes KeepRite gas furnaces?
KeepRite is owned by International Comfort Products (ICP), which owns several other HVAC brands, including Arcoaire, Clare, Comfortmaker, Dettson, Heil, Lincoln, and Tempstar. ICP is part of UTC Building and Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corporation.
Is Mrcool Made in USA?
About MRCOOL LLC: MRCOOL is a heating, ventilating and air conditioning company based in Hickory, Kentucky. Founded in 2014, MRCOOL carries a complete line of residential and commercial heating and cooling products.
Who makes Daikin furnaces?
Daikin North America manages three of the major brands and competitors in the market. They manufacture Daikin furnaces as their premium brand and price, a mid-tier priced Amana brand furnace, and the most affordable brand option Goodman.