I am remodeling my garage and their is a lowered ceiling right as you leave the house to enter the garage by the furnace. I thought it had hvac duct or something else running through it, but when I cut a few holes I realized it was empty with the exception of the left side above the furnace. Is there any reason this is there or can I remove it and raise the ceiling another 2 feet to be flush with the rest of the garage?