Don't Forget to Check Your Furnace Vents This Winter

As winter arrives and the temperature starts to drop, your furnace becomes an essential part of keeping your home warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook a critical aspect of furnace maintenance: checking the furnace vents. Neglecting these vents can lead to reduced heating efficiency, higher energy bills and even dangerous situations.

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What Are Furnace Vents?

Most furnaces consist of two types of venting systems:

Intake and Exhaust Vents

Most furnaces include intake vents and exhaust vents. Intake vents draw in outdoor air to let your heating system burn fuel safely. Exhaust vents, on the other hand, send toxic gases outside to prevent them from building up in your home.

Internal Air Vents

This venting system uses supply and return vents to keep your home warm during the winter. The supply vents deliver warm air from the furnace to various locations in the home. Return vents pull cool air from these rooms and push it back to the furnace to be reheated.

How Do Furnace Vents Work?

Furnaces burn fuel, such as natural gas, propane or oil, to generate heat and keep your home warm no matter what the temperature is outside. During this process, combustion byproducts, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, are produced. The exhaust vent system safely carries these gases out of your home.

Simultaneously, the intake vent brings in the fresh air needed for efficient combustion. Together, these vents ensure your furnace functions efficiently and your indoor air stays clean and safe.

Once the air is warmed, the furnace uses the supply and intake vents to circulate this air throughout your home.

Where Are My Furnace Vents?

Exhaust and intake vents are often located on an exterior wall of the home near the furnace. These look like two white PVC pipes about 3 inches in diameter. Older systems may connect to the chimney or roof cap of the home. Supply and return vents are located on the floors, ceilings or walls inside your home. They're quite visible and easy to identify.

Why Is It Important to Check Your Furnace Vents?

There are many reasons it’s important to have your vents checked this winter:

• Preventing blockages. A blocked exhaust vent can cause dangerous gases to back up into your home, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Maintaining efficiency. Clear vents can help you save money on energy bills and reduce wear and tear on your heating system.

• Protecting your family. Properly functioning vents help keep indoor air safe and prevent exposure to harmful gases.

How Can Furnace Vents Become Covered or Clogged?

The most frequent source of clogs is where the pipes exit your home, usually on a sidewall or roof. Snow and ice are the most common causes of exterior blockage. However, other issues can cause blocked vents, such as animal nests and landscaping debris. Items such as bushes and tall grass can also obstruct the vents and cause a blockage.

The vent pipes that run through your walls, attic or crawl space can be compromised and cause damage to the venting system. For instance, these pipes can become dented or crushed due to construction or roofing issues. Additionally, if two sections of the pipe come loose, it can create a major issue and leak dangerous gases into your home. If your furnace vents into an older masonry chimney, the liner could crack or collapse over time, causing a blockage in the venting system.

Signs of a Clogged Furnace Vent

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s critical to have your furnace vents checked:

• Lingering burning or formaldehyde smell

• Carbon monoxide alarm going off — if this happens, it’s vital to exit your home and call for help immediately

• Drafty feeling or increased humidity in your home

• Frequent furnace short cycling

• Gurgling, banging or whistling sounds coming from your vents or furnace

• Seeing signs of condensation on the inside of your windows near the furnace or on the vent pipe

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How Do I Keep Furnace Exhaust Pipes Clear?

Here are some tips on keeping your furnace vents clear:

• Know where your vents are located.

• Conduct monthly inspections of exterior vents to ensure grass, shrubs and leaves are at least 18 inches away from the vent.

• Keep all snow and ice away from exterior vents.

• Make furnace vent checks part of your annual heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) tune-up.

• Keep chemicals, boxes and other debris away from your furnace.

• Keep furniture, boxes and other obstacles away from internal air vents.

When to Call a Professional

If you notice persistent blockages or damage to the vent pipes or suspect a carbon monoxide leak, contact a licensed HVAC technician immediately. Annual professional inspections are also recommended to keep your furnace system in top condition.