Winter in Magnolia isn’t done yet. Mother Nature can often be unpredictable. While it can be nice one day, the next day could dump snow on us. When this happens, you can help elude the need for unforeseen furnace service by taking certain precautions.
The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is directed outside of your home. However, there is a difference between the two. High-efficiency furnaces also take fresh air from outside the home into your house, which means it’s important for air to be able to transfer freely to ensure correct and safe operation.
Once in a while the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units leave through the side of your residence or vertically through the roof. When this happens, 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 designed 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 around your intake and exhaust pipes.
- Examine the area occasionally and move any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We know the weather in Magnolia can change every day during the last few weeks of winter and that weather may impact the operation of your furnace. If you want us to check out any areas around your residence or if you need answers to any questions, call JTech Mechanical in Magnolia at 281-231-8768. Your family’s safety and comfort are our top priorities.