Nordyne E3 Series User Manual
Page 7

7
Return Air Codes and Requirements
Unducted return air systems may be used for 
closet or alcove installations. 
NOTE: Applicable installation codes may limit the 
furnace to installation in a single-story residence 
only. Furnace installations other than closet or 
alcove installations require ducted return air 
systems. 
Air return to the furnace must have a minimum 
free area opening (see Table 1).
Acceptable fl oor or ceiling return air systems 
for closet installations with return air entering 
through an opening in the closet fl oor or ceiling 
must meet all of the following requirements:
• Return air opening into closet, regardless of
its location, must not be smaller than size 
specifi ed on unit data label.
• If located in fl oor of closet, return air opening
must be provided with means of preventing 
its inadvertent closure by a fl at object placed 
over opening.
• Materials located in return air duct system
must have a fl ame-spread classifi cation of 
200 or less.
• Noncombustible pans having 1” upturned
fl anges must be located beneath openings 
in a fl oor-return duct system.
• Wiring materials located in return duct system
must conform to NEC Article 300-22(c).
• Gas piping must not run in or through return
air duct system.
• If return air opening is located below top
of furnace, a minimum clearance must be 
provided between opening and furnace (see 
“Accessibility for servicing” in Table 1).
Closed-Off Space Requirements
Living space not served by, and closed off from, 
the return air ducts to the furnace by doors, sliding 
partitions, and other means must be provided 
with permanent, uncloseable openings in the 
doors or partitions to allow air to return to the 
furnace from all parts of the home. Return air 
grilles, with a minimum open area of one square 
inch for every fi ve square feet of living space 
closed off from the furnace, must be provided 
in the door or room partition.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Contact your nearest NORDYNE distributor for a 
complete list of electric furnace accessories.
Return Air Grille
A return air grille and frame assembly (see Figure 
2) is available for use in unducted return air instal-
lations. In downfl ow alcove installations, the grille 
and frame assembly may be mounted directly 
to the top of the furnace. In closet installations, 
a wall mount grille is available for attachment 
to a door or wall.
Optional Automatic Furnace 
Damper #901083 - 
Furnace may (not required) be equipped with 
the optional automatic damper when a packaged 
air conditioner is installed and connected to the 
warm air duct system. This damper prevents 
cooled air from discharging through the furnace 
cabinet, causing excessive cooling of the immedi-
ate area. Refer to instructions supplied with the 
damper for details.
Multi-Speed Blower Conversion 
Package (4 or 5 ton):
Upgrade blower packages are available for 
adding air conditioning or heat pump systems. 
See furnace “Options and Compatibility” label 
for systems available.
TYPICAL INSTALLATION OF 
DOWNFLOW SYSTEMS OR 
PLATINUM SYSTEM
The following steps describe installation instruc-
tions for an under-the-fl oor supply duct system 
with a return air system that can be either 
unducted or ducted. Duct connectors (Table 4) 
are recommended for this application.
NOTE: Before installing this furnace, consider all 
clearances for the installation and future servicing 
of the furnace. Refer to Table 1.
Return Air and Filtering Systems
Furnaces may be installed with unducted or 
ducted return air. For unducted return air 
systems, either the optional grille and frame 
assembly or the optional wall mount grille is rec-
ommended. For ducted return air systems with 
air conditioners or heat pumps, either providing 
an access panel in the duct or using the optional 
coil cabinet is recommended. The duct system 
must be properly sized so as to account for any 
additional external static pressure produced from 
the chosen fi ltering method.
