Winter in Laurel isn’t finished yet. Mother Nature can often be unpredictable. While it could be nice one day, the next day could change to snow. When this take place, you can help avoid the need for unexpected furnace service by taking some 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 correct and safe operation.
Once in a while the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units exit through the side of your residence or vertically through the roof. When this is the situation, you’re at risk of having heavy snowfall bury them, which will block the free flow of air your high-efficiency furnace needs. (Don’t worry, though. High efficiency furnaces are meant to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To avoid air flow issues during a heavy snowfall, be sure to:
- Confirm there’s a 3-foot/1-meter clearance surrounding your intake and exhaust pipes.
- Look at the area occasionally and move any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We realize the weather in Laurel 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 house or if you have concerns, call H&C Heating and Cooling in Laurel at 301-960-3247. Your family’s safety and comfort are our top priorities.