A suspension method long associated with commercial HVAC is finding a new home in residential construction.
When most people think about HVAC cable suspension, they picture commercial construction: large duct systems, VAV boxes, air handlers and other equipment suspended from structural framing.
But contractors are finding another application for cable suspension: residential HVAC.
Some contractors are now using cable suspension to support furnaces installed in new-construction residential attics.
Making Better Use of Attic Space
Attic installations can present a unique challenge. There may be plenty of overhead space, but surprisingly little usable floor space. A furnace placed on a conventional platform can take up valuable room and may require additional framing to create that platform.
Suspending the equipment can provide another option. Instead of building a rigid support structure beneath the equipment, a properly engineered cable suspension system can support the unit from above while taking up very little space around it.
Why Contractors Are Looking at Cable
For contractors working in new residential construction, the appeal is straightforward: less hardware and more flexibility in tight spaces.
Cable is lightweight, strong, and has a very small profile compared with threaded rod, strut and other conventional suspension components. Cable systems can also be easily adjusted after installation, which can be useful when equipment needs to be positioned precisely within a confined attic.
For an attic application, that compact approach can be particularly useful when framing, ductwork, insulation and equipment all must share a limited amount of space.
A Commercial Solution Finding a Place at Home
Cable suspension isn’t replacing every traditional furnace installation—and it isn’t appropriate for every application. But, what started as a solution for commercial ductwork and mechanical systems is increasingly being considered for residential applications where space, access, and installation flexibility matter.
For contractors who haven’t considered cable suspension for residential HVAC, the attic may be a good place to start.
Want to see how Griplock Systems can be used for residential HVAC suspension? Contact us to discuss your application.