Snowstorms and Furnaces

March 17, 2016

We haven’t completely gotten through winter in Siloam Springs just yet. Mother Nature may have a few nice days, but she’s always prepped 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 couple 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 capture 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 could submerge your intake and exhaust pipes in the snow, preventing the free flow of air you have to have to work your high-efficiency furnace (High efficiency furnaces are created to automatically shut off should a blockage take place). To keep that from happening during a heavy snowfall, it’s critical to:

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

While the weather in Siloam Springs will most likely go up and down over the last few days of winter, you can’t count out the probability of weather that can alter the performance of your furnace. At Siloam Springs Heating & AC in Siloam Springs, we are always available to take a look at 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 highest priority. Give us a call at 479-308-8176 to find out more information.