Clearing Snow From Vents
Clearing The Snow Around Your Vents: The Winter Maintenance Task You Shouldn’t Forget!
You clear the snow from your driveway and even your roof, but did you know you need to clear it from around your vents, too? Blocked vents mean reduced air flow and the potential for gas build-up, including dangerous carbon monoxide. We’re not here to make winter harder by adding unnecessary tasks to your winter maintenance To Do list, but blocked vents are a safety concern. Take it from the HVAC experts at British Empire Fuels, clearing snow from vents is a must this winter. Here’s a closer look at why.
Exterior Vents Play A Vital Role In Keeping Your HVAC System Running And Your Family Safe.
Your HVAC system uses air ducts to carry heated and cooled air through your home. It also relies on vents going outside to draw in fresh air and remove gases created during the combustion process. This exchange of air is essential for your HVAC system to work efficiently—and for the safety of your family. No one wants carbon monoxide, a common byproduct of the combustion process, building up in their home.
Fresh-Air Intake: The air being circulated through your HVAC system needs a fresh infusion of outside air to keep oxygen levels high and C02 and other indoor pollutants low. Your fresh-air intake draws air in from outside to facilitate this process, keeping the air in your home fresher and your HVAC system components running smoothly.
Exhaust Vent: If you have a furnace that uses natural gas or propane to fuel the heating process, it requires an exhaust vent to safely remove potentially dangerous gases like carbon monoxide from your home. Your gas-powered water heater will also have an exhaust vent.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for more than 300 deaths in Canada each year. It is essential to protect your family from this dangerous gas. Every home should have a functioning and properly installed CO detector on every level of their home, regardless of what type of heating system they have.
Whether they are drawing air in or letting air and gases out, exterior vents are a crucial part of your home’s HVAC system and need to be clear to function. If they are blocked by snow, fresh air cannot get in or out, causing pollutants and gases to build up in your home, putting you and your family at risk.
A Guide To Clearing Snow From Vents Safely
So, now you know why it is important to keep your vents clear of snow, let’s make sure you know how to clear them safely.
First, locate your exterior vents by walking around the outside of your home. Look for pipes or tubes coming out of the exterior walls.
TIP: Some HVAC systems have roof vents. If that is the case in your home, call a professional to locate and clear the vents. Climbing on a snow-covered roof is not always safe for the average homeowner.
Once you have located the vents, use a shovel to dig them out from the snow. Leave as much space as you can around the vent to ensure good airflow. Be careful not to hit the vents with your shovel, which could cause them to crack or shift in the cold weather. Use your hands to take snow off the vent pipes and, if there is any snow inside the pipe, gently scoop it out as well.
Remember to clear snow from vents after every major snowfall.
Stay Safe. Clear Your Vents.
Clearing snow from vents keeps your HVAC system running smoothly, improves the air quality in your home and keeps your family safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide and other gas buildup. No one likes adding chores to their winter home maintenance list, but this one is important. This winter, when it snows, stay warm, enjoy the beauty of the season and clear your vents.