Grow Room Furnace/Utility Room

[Johnny Mack]

Several years back I set up a small tent with a carbon filter in my furnace and utility room. Never did I considered any possible long term effects to my water heater. That is until it kept flaming out and after extensive troubleshooting, I discovered the small secondary inlet screen on the bottom of the heater was all gummed up with terpenes. Who'd of thought? Yes it's not vented outdoors and yes, I regularly change out my carbon filter, but who'd of ever thought this could become an issue!

I should have vented it outdoors years ago, but without a window, it's not an easy task. Looks like I've got some work ahead of me this weekend!

 

[DeeDoubleYou]

I’m glad I dug this up because I’m dealing with the issue of venting outside or not. This sums it up! Same spot, tent in utility room

 

[DCLXVI]

@cubfaninmo - This cat grows some amazing plants in a small water heater closet as well. Don't know if he has any input to contribute.

 

[cubfaninmo]

I’m glad I dug this up because I’m dealing with the issue of venting outside or not. This sums it up! Same spot, tent in utility room

Thanks @DCLXVI
I never considered that! Although it sounds like my set up is quite a bit different. Mine is literally a closet with just enough room for the furnace and water heater. I don’t have a tent, filters, etc. There is natural are flow from a vent in the floor through a vent in the ceiling. I’m going to have to think through my setup…

 

[DeeDoubleYou]

Thanks @DCLXVI
I never considered that! Although it sounds like my set up is quite a bit different. Mine is literally a closet with just enough room for the furnace and water heater. I don’t have a tent, filters, etc. There is natural are flow from a vent in the floor through a vent in the ceiling. I’m going to have to think through my setup…

I’m inclined to think it would get worse in a smaller area? There is a ground level window right behind my tent, it only cracks open versus sliding. It’s still enough that I can cut a piece of insulation board to fit the window opening and I’ll put a 4 inch hole into it for the ducting. I’ll cut it snug but might have to use expanding foam to keep the drafts out. To the left of my tent is an endless hot water heater and Gas furnace for baseboard heat. I’d rather be safe than sorry in my case, there’s still more than a few weeks of cold left. I also have to run 24/0 down here for now because it’s impossible to maintain temp and humidity at night time. It’s just too cold and dry outside still and I don’t want to heat my tent or soak up puddles of condensation every morning. The exhaust fan helps with none of it at night