TommyK Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Just heard something in the last couple days about furnace safety in blizzards. High efficiency furnaces do not vent through a flue pipe to the roof of the house. They vent via a PVC pipe through the side wall of your house. The end of this pipe is about a foot to 18" above the ground. If it gets covered with snow, exhaust gasses, specifically carbon monoxide (CO) can back up into the house and asphyxiate the inhabitants. Most modern, and therefore high efficiency, furnaces do have a safety shut-down feature if the exhaust pipe gets plugged by snow, bird nests or mud pies. If your furnace has quit on you in the last couple days, check that the exhaust pipe is breathing freely. There may be a re-set switch that needs re-set in order to get it going again. I don't know if mine has a re-set switch, but I will be looking into it. For those unfamiliar, the exhaust on these H.E. furnaces is white plastic PVC, much like the drain pipes in your house. In fact it is the same as your drain pipes. Follow this pipe from the furnace to where it exits the house. The end of it will be right out side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner 13 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Just heard something in the last couple days about furnace safety in blizzards. High efficiency furnaces do not vent through a flue pipe to the roof of the house. They vent via a PVC pipe through the side wall of your house. The end of this pipe is about a foot to 18" above the ground. If it gets covered with snow, exhaust gasses, specifically carbon monoxide (CO) can back up into the house and asphyxiate the inhabitants. Most modern, and therefore high efficiency, furnaces do have a safety shut-down feature if the exhaust pipe gets plugged by snow, bird nests or mud pies. If your furnace has quit on you in the last couple days, check that the exhaust pipe is breathing freely. There may be a re-set switch that needs re-set in order to get it going again. I don't know if mine has a re-set switch, but I will be looking into it. For those unfamiliar, the exhaust on these H.E. furnaces is white plastic PVC, much like the drain pipes in your house. In fact it is the same as your drain pipes. Follow this pipe from the furnace to where it exits the house. The end of it will be right out side. Good on ya for the look out Heading outside now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thank god mine is 7 feet off the ground. If I get 7 feet of snow, I may have bigger problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Hey, thanks Tommy. Actually, a couple years ago I replaced my furnace with a HF-hybrid system and it vents just like you warned. I went outside and cleard the snow away from the vent. Excellent info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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