Keep Furnace Intake and Exhaust Pipes Clear of Snow
After a snowstorm, it’s important to check that snow is not blocking the furnace intake and exhaust pipes.
If you use a gas furnace, you’ll have two pipes outside of your home. The intake pipe pulls in fresh air for combustion, while the exhaust pipe expels the by product of the heating process. To work safely and efficiently, these pipes need to be clear of any obstruction—including snow.
Tip: You should identify where these pipes are before a major snowfall, that way you’ll know where to look when the snow has accumulated.
For normal snowfall, the furnace intake and exhaust pipes should not be affected as they should have been installed above the snow line for the area. However, if the pipes were installed at the incorrect height, or there is an unusually large snowfall (or blowing wind), you’re going to want to regularly check to ensure the pipes do not become blocked.
What happens if Furnace Intake and Exhaust Pipes are obstructed?
If the intake pipe becomes blocked, the heating system will likely stall and turn off as it can’t pull in the required air for the combustion process. If the exhaust pipe becomes blocked, a safety mechanism should trip to prevent dangerous fumes from entering your home.
To help keep the warm air flowing and everyone in your home safe, we always recommend homeowners know where the furnace intake and exhaust pipes are located and to keep an eye on them during snowstorms. It’s also important to have working carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
If you have any questions about your heating system,
don’t hesitate to contact Arctic Heating and Cooling Specialists.
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