REPLACING FURNACE--ASBESTOS QUESTION

[dwsimpson]

I have a 40-year-old furnace for a 2-story house with full basement, and full attic, about 2000 sq. ft. of heated/AC space. There are also 3 un-conditioned sunporches. I would like to replace the furnace. Problem: the big round ducts in the basement attached to the furnace are wrapped with asbestos tape. Before I call in an HVAC estimator, what can I expect regarding the asbestos situation? Does this mean enclosed negative air & men in NASA space suits and about $3000 or more just to remove it?

[HayZee518]

Could be. Asbestos removal consists of containing the friable fibers so they don't go into the atmosphere. A removal bag and a wetting agent is applied to the area and then its removed. Then you got to tend with disposal of the asbestos. Call a professional.

[dwsimpson]

quote:Originally posted by HayZee518

Could be. Asbestos removal consists of containing the friable fibers so they don't go into the atmosphere. A removal bag and a wetting agent is applied to the area and then its removed. Then you got to tend with disposal of the asbestos. Call a professional.

We ran into this problem 16 years ago when we sold our house. The ductwork there was wrapped with asbestos tape and the buyers wanted it removed. In 1988 we were told it would probably cost about $3000 then. We got the buyers to agree to our encasing the ducts in epoxy paint. So I wonder if we did the same thing now, keeping the large ducts, if that would be acceptable. Or would having large ducts work against the efficiency rating of the new system?

We have these two choices, then--have the ducts removed and new ductwork installed, but having to pay a lot for asbestos removal; or encase the existing ductwork and have it connected to the new system.

What do you think?

DWS

[HayZee518]

If the ductwork is acceptable as far as size goes and cfm flow by all means encase it. My folks home had large 10 inch ducts (round) which was good for the gravity furnace but with a new furnace was too large, so the contractor ended up replacing all them with six inch ducts or transition boots to the pipes going up.

[LazyPup]

The extent of containment would depend upon the physical layout and number of joints in question. The abestos abatement regulations permit localized "Glove Bagging" to remove small areas. You would need to contact a licensed abestos abatement contractor to review your location to determine if glove bagging is an option.