Winter in Rapid City isn’t quite over yet. Mother Nature can certainly be unpredictable. While it might be nice one day, the next day could dump snow on us. When this occurs, you can help elude the need for unforeseen furnace service by taking a couple precautions.
The exhaust from both conventional furnaces and high-efficiency furnaces is pushed outside of your home. However, there is a difference between both of these. High-efficiency furnaces also pull fresh air from the outdoors into your house, which means it’s vital for air to be able to flow freely to ensure correct and safe operation.
Sometimes the intake and exhaust pipes of high efficiency units exit through the side of your home or vertically through the roof. When this happens, you’re in danger of having heavy snowfall bury them, which will block the free flow of air your high-efficiency furnace needs. (Don’t fret, though. High efficiency furnaces are designed to automatically shut off if these pipes are blocked.) To stop air flow obstruction during a heavy snowfall, be sure to:
- Confirm there’s a 3-foot/1-meter clearance surrounding your intake and exhaust pipes.
- Examine the area often and clear any snow that has fallen into the cleared area.
We understand the weather in Rapid City can change every day during the last few weeks of winter and that weather can effect the operation of your furnace. If you want us to look at any areas around your home or if you have concerns, call Precision Mechanical in Rapid City at 605-206-3766. Your family’s safety and comfort are our top priorities.