Winter in Des Moines isn’t done yet. Mother Nature can typically be unpredictable. While it could be nice one day, the next day could change to snow. When this take place, you can help dodge 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. But, there is a difference between the two. High-efficiency furnaces also pull fresh air from the outdoors into your house, which means it’s vital for air to be able to flow freely to ensure proper and safe operation.
Occasionally the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units exit through the side of your home or vertically through the roof. When this happens, 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 panic, though. High efficiency furnaces are designed to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To stop air flow issues 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 clear any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We know the weather in Des Moines can change every day during the last few weeks of winter and that weather impacts the operation of your furnace. If you want us to check out any areas around your home or if you have questions, call Heartland Heating & Cooling in Des Moines at 515-344-3579. Your family’s safety and comfort are important to us.