Winter in Omaha isn’t done yet. Mother Nature can typically be unpredictable. While it might be nice one day, the next day could dump snow on us. When this occurs, you can help elude the need for unexpected furnace service by taking certain precautions.
The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is moved outside of your home. Nonetheless, there is a difference between these two. High-efficiency furnaces also pull fresh air from the outside into your house, which means it’s important for air to be able to flow freely to ensure appropriate 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 happens, you’re in danger of having heavy snowfall bury them, which will hinder the free flow of air your high-efficiency furnace needs. (Don’t panic, though. High efficiency furnaces are designed to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To avoid 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.
- Take a look at the area regularly and clear any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We realize the weather in Omaha 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 review any areas around your residence or if you need answers to any questions, call The Frazier Company in Omaha at 402-628-0206. Your family’s safety and comfort are high priorities for us.