Snowstorms and Furnaces

March 17, 2016

Winter in Crystal and Twin Cities isn’t quite over yet. Mother Nature can certainly be unpredictable. While it can be nice one day, the next day could surprise us with snow. When this happens, you can help elude the need for unforeseen furnace service by taking certain precautions.

The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is pushed outside of your residence. Nonetheless, there is a difference between both of these. High-efficiency furnaces also pull fresh air from the outside into your house, which means it’s significant for air to be able to flow freely to ensure appropriate and safe operation.

Sometimes the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units leave through the side of your home or vertically through the roof. When this is the situation, you’re susceptible to having heavy snowfall bury them, which will block the free flow of air your high-efficiency furnace needs. (Don’t fret, though. High efficiency furnaces are meant to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To prevent air flow obstruction during a heavy snowfall, be sure to:

  • Ensure there’s a 3-foot/1-meter clearance surrounding your intake and exhaust pipes.
  • Look at the area often and move any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.

We understand the weather in Crystal and Twin Cities can change on a daily basis during the last few weeks of winter and that weather can effect the operation of your furnace. If you want us to check out any areas around your residence or if you need answers to any questions, call GV Heating & Air in Crystal and Twin Cities at 763-535-2000. Your family’s safety and comfort are high priorities for us.