Snowstorms and Furnaces

March 17, 2016

We haven’t completely gotten through winter in Columbus just yet. Mother Nature has given us a few nice days, but she’s always prepped to remind us that she’s in charge. When she does, you may not have to unexpectedly call a professional for furnace service if you keep a few simple things in mind.

Both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces send waste gases outside of the home. The difference with high-efficiency furnaces is that they also transfer in fresh air from outside the home. The ability for air to move freely is crucial to proper and safe operation of a high-efficiency unit.

High efficiency intake and exhaust pipes could exit through the side of your home or vertically through the roof. Heavy snowfall could submerge your intake and exhaust pipes in the snow, hindering the free flow of air you have to have to operate your high-efficiency furnace (High efficiency furnaces are developed to automatically shut off should a blockage take place). To save that from happening during a heavy snowfall, it’s crucial to:

  • [Keep|Ensure you have|Maintain]26] a 3-foot/1-meter clearance around your intake and exhaust terminations to help stop this from occurring.
  • Check the area routinely to be sure that it stays clear.

While the weather in Columbus will most likely go up and down over the last few days of colder temperatures, you can’t count out the probability of weather that can impact the performance of your furnace. At Wolfe & Sons Heating and Cooling in Columbus, we are always available to take a look at any areas around your home or answer any of your questions, whether they’re about furnace service or adding a new system. Keeping you and your family safe and comfortable is our highest priority. Give us a call at 614-451-0846 to find out more information.