Snowstorms and Furnaces

March 17, 2016

We haven’t completely escaped winter in Lincoln just yet. Mother Nature has given us a few nice days, but she’s always ready to remind us that she’s the boss. When she does, you may not have to unexpectedly call a repairman out for furnace service if you keep a few simple things in mind.

Both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces send waste gases outdoors. The difference with high-efficiency furnaces is that they also take in fresh air from outside the home. The ability for air to move freely is vital to proper and safe operation of a high-efficiency unit.

High efficiency intake and exhaust pipes could exit through the side of your home or vertically through the roof. Heavy snowfall can bury your intake and exhaust pipes in the snow, hindering the free flow of air needed to run your high-efficiency furnace (High efficiency furnaces are designed to automatically switch off should a blockage happen). To prevent that from happening during a heavy snowfall, it’s crucial to:

  • [Keep|Ensure you have|Maintain]26] a 3-foot/1-meter clearance around your intake and exhaust pipes to help stop this from taking place.
  • Check the area frequently to make sure that it stays clear.

While the weather in Lincoln will probably fluctuate up and down over the last few days of winter, you can’t count out the chance of weather that can impact the performance of your furnace. At AW Heating & Air Conditioning in Lincoln, we are always available to inspect any areas around your home or answer any of your questions, whether they’re about furnace service or adding a new system. Keeping you and your family safe and comfortable is our number one priority. Give us a call at 402-438-7992 to find out more information.