I recently bought a house that has a single large bathroom divided into two areas: a vanity/sink room and a toilet/shower room. This bathroom sits above the basement utility space, and there's a 6-inch exhaust vent duct from the furnace and water heater running through the middle of a small doorway. We're looking to remodel it into two smaller bathrooms—a guest half bath and a master full bath—but this exhaust vent is right where we want to place the sink for the master bath. Given that our furnace and water heater are quite old, we're also considering if a replacement could help. I've looked into heat pumps and electric options, but it seems gas might be the best choice for our harsh winters here in Minneapolis. Any suggestions on how to work around this vent or tips for the renovation?
2 Answers
Consider getting a high-efficiency furnace that can vent through PVC to the outside. Also, electric heating in Minneapolis might not be the best plan due to the winter costs, unless you're okay with significantly higher bills. If your appliances are around 25 years old, it might be reaching the time for an upgrade, but don't rush into replacing things unless absolutely necessary.
You might want to check out high efficiency gas water heaters and furnaces. They can vent out the side of your house, which could help you avoid the duct issue. However, keep in mind that these options can be pretty pricey. HE furnaces are pretty common these days, but the cost benefits of high efficiency water heaters aren't always appealing. It's something to weigh carefully.