An important reminder during winter is to keep an eye on your furnace vent and make sure it’s not iced up and clogged.
The Town of Wainwright notes that keeping furnace vents clear of snow and ice is a solid safety precaution to eliminate carbon monoxide poisoning and furnace breakdowns in the cold weather. If the vents are clogged the exhaust from the furnace along with the deadly, odourless carbon monoxide could end up back in your home.
The list of safety reminders include:
- Regular checks: Check your vents especially after major or blowing snow
- Note the vents: High-efficiency furnaces have two white PVC pipes. One to bring in fresh air and one for the exhaust
- Clear by hand: Use hands, a broom or gentle brush to clear away the snow. Avoid using a shovel, snowblower or metal tools as this could damage the pipes
- Manage snow drifts
- Maintain clearance of at least a foot around the vent openings and the gas meter
- Check other vent like the water heater, dryer
- Install carbon monoxide detectors
Furnace shuts down
The dreaded loss of heat in the house during the cold weather is a big reason to ensure basic furnace maintenance so that the vents are not blocked.
- Check that the vents are not blocked, and if they are then clear the vents
- The furnace may restart or you may need to follow the manufacturers instruction for a manual reset
- If the furnace still does not restart, or you cannot clear the obstruction, then call a qualified HVAC professional.
