Winter in Sandpoint isn’t finished yet. Mother Nature can certainly be unpredictable. While it might be nice one day, the next day could surprise us with snow. When this take place, you can help dodge the need for surprising furnace service by taking certain precautions.
The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is moved outside of your residence. However, there is a difference between both of these. High-efficiency furnaces also pull fresh air from the outdoors into your house, which means it’s significant for air to be able to move freely to ensure correct and safe operation.
Occasionally 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 case, you’re in danger of 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 designed to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To stop air flow problems during a heavy snowfall, be sure to:
- Confirm there’s a 3-foot/1-meter clearance around your intake and exhaust pipes.
- Examine the area occasionally and move any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We realize the weather in Sandpoint can change on a daily basis during the last few weeks of winter and that weather impacts the operation of your furnace. If you want us to look at any areas around your home or if you have questions, call Age Heating & Cooling in Sandpoint at 208-578-4258. Your family’s safety and comfort are important to us.