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Heavy snow can mean problems for your furnace - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Heavy snow can mean problems for your furnace

Feb 15th, 2008 3:40 AM

Heavy snow can mean problems for your furnace Has your furnace quit operating coincident with the heavy snow? Before calling your furnace repair and service company check that the air intakes or the outlets for your furnace are clear of snow. A number of significant snow falls have recently blanketed the GTA causing drifting or snow sliding off roofs. In both cases, your furnace air intake pipe can become buried and starved of the air needed for combustion. A common indicator of this problem is the furnace continuously trying to start but never actually turning on. For most homeowners, the solution is simple; just dig the snow away from the intake and install a shelter that will keep the area free of snow but not impede air flow into the furnace intake. Finding your intake pipe To find your furnace intake pipe, look for a black or white pipe (not the metal heating ducts). Most homes usually will have it protruding a couple inches out from the basement wall on the side of the home. Some pipes even extend up the side of the home. The pipe is usually curved at the end, unlike the dryer exhaust which is flush with the home. Keeping it clear Once you’ve identified the location of the pipe, take a shovel and remove the snow from the area. Make sure that no snow or other foreign objects have plugged the pipe. With the snow cleared from around the intake, the furnace will likely turn on automatically. However, if necessary, furnace starting instructions can be found on either on the side of the furnace or on the inside of the access panel. If the furnace fails to start and you don’t have a regular service person, the company that installed the furnace or has previously done maintenance will often have affixed a tag or label. This is a good place to start when looking for more assistance Breath easy With the outside free of blockages, it is a good idea to check the furnace filter to ensure your furnace is getting enough air. A dirty furnace filter reduces air flow and makes your furnace fan work harder; clean filters can save up to 5% of total electricity use. Buy the filters in bulk and replace them regularly. Green$aver recommends cleaning or replacing your furnace air filter each month during the heating season. The heating season is a good time to have home energy audits done, any work done to make you home more energy efficient will pay immediate benefits. Green$aver can schedule an ecoEnergy home energy audits for you as early as next week. In addition to saving money on your heating and cooling bills Green$aver will assist your with the application forms and advise you on your eligibility for Federal and Provincial grants to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. For more information on Green$aver, or to schedule an ecoENERGY assessment, visit www.greensaver.org or call 416-203-3106. For interviews with a Green$aver spokesperson, contact Jonathan Laderoute (e|c|o media relations), 416-972-7401, laderoutej(a)huffstrategy.com Green$aver is an independent non-profit corporation dedicated to environmental energy efficiency. They have pioneered Ontario residential energy conservation for 25 years with economically viable and environmentally friendly measures to help individuals and organizations with their energy need (www.greensaver.org).