Winter in Pella isn’t finished yet. Mother Nature can certainly be unpredictable. While it could be nice one day, the next day could change to snow. When this take place, you can help elude the need for surprising furnace service by taking some precautions.
The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is moved outside of your residence. However, there is a difference between the two. High-efficiency furnaces also take fresh air from the outside into your house, which means it’s important for air to be able to flow freely to ensure correct and safe operation.
Occasionally the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units leave through the side of your house or vertically through the roof. When this is the case, you’re susceptible to having heavy snowfall bury them, which will obstruct the free flow of air your high-efficiency furnace needs. (Don’t panic, though. High efficiency furnaces are planned to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To avoid air flow problems during a heavy snowfall, be sure to:
- Confirm there’s a 3-foot/1-meter clearance near your intake and exhaust pipes.
- Examine the area often and remove any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We know the weather in Pella 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 review any areas around your house or if you have concerns, call Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating in Pella at 641-628-3621. Your family’s safety and comfort are high priorities for us.