QA

Question: Where Is My Furnace Exhaust Vent

They should be near where your furnace is on the inside. Normally, they are a set of curved pipes (PVC, CPVC, or ABS) near the foundation, although sometimes they are on or near the roof.

What happens if furnace exhaust is blocked?

It’s important to keep your furnace vents, intakes valves and chimney snow free. Blocked vents could cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. If you believe you may have a carbon monoxide issue, opendoors and windows immediately and leave your home.

How do I know if my furnace vent is clogged?

Turn on the heat or the air conditioning of your HVAC system. When the fan begins to blow, check all of the vents in each room for airflow. If there is a noticeable lack of blowing air through a specific vent, the duct may be blocked.

How do I clear my furnace exhaust pipe?

Scrub the inside free of any dust and debris; then use the handheld vacuum to get out as much as you can. Wipe it clear with a rag or soft cloth and then replace the cap. Cut away any branches or remove any object that might be obstructing the pipe and creating debris. The vent should always be clear.

Do all furnaces have an exhaust pipe?

That depends on whether you have a standard efficiency or a high efficiency furnace. If your furnace has an AFUE rating below 90 percent, it will most likely have a flue pipe that goes up through your roof.

What comes out of a furnace exhaust?

Flues Vent Exhaust Gases In a perfect furnace, the combustion of natural gas would generate only two side effects: water vapor and carbon dioxide. Neither of these substances pose any serious threat to human health.

Is my furnace going to explode?

Although it is possible for a gas furnace to either catch fire or explode, it’s highly unlikely. If there is a danger of this happening, the furnace will usually simply shut off—as it’s designed to. If you’ve got a good furnace and take care of it, you won’t have to worry about explosions or fires.

Why is air not coming out of my vents?

The most common cause of low air flow through the vents in your home is blocked or dirty AC filters. Be sure to keep the area around your AC filters clear of furniture and anything else that might block the flow of air, and be sure to clean or change your AC filters once a month.

How do you unblock an air vent?

How to Clean and Clear Your Vent Climb onto your roof. Have an assistant flush a toilet while you hold your hand over the vent. Use a plumber’s snake of electricians fish tape to unclog the stoppage. If you can’t entirely remove the clog with your “snake,” use a garden hose to flush out remaining debris.

Where is the furnace flue pipe?

The furnace flue will usually be located on the top or the rear of the furnace. It will directly connect to a chimney or to a metal flue pipe that extends vertically to the roof. Most of the remaining pipe will be hidden as it passes through your home, though it may be visible in the attic.

Should furnace exhaust pipe be covered?

High-efficiency gas furnaces have plastic vent pipes that extend to the outdoors to get rid of exhaust gases and bring in fresh air for combustion. If the vent pipes are not protected by screens, you take a big risk for furnace problems due to pipe obstruction or infestations from pests.

Does furnace exhaust have carbon monoxide?

But when fossil fuels are burned in a gas furnace, exhaust gases are produced. One of these gases is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, practically odorless, and tasteless gas or liquid. Exhaust gases must be vented away from indoor spaces so the occupants don’t breathe them in.

Do gas furnaces need to be vented?

Yes, a furnace needs to be vented. A furnace vent allows for any gases and exhaust created by combustion to be removed from the home. If your furnace is not vented, it can lead to dangerous conditions, like carbon monoxide building up within your home.

Should the vent on the furnace be open or closed?

Keep vents open. Yes, even in rooms you don’t use! The more vents you close and the longer you keep them closed, the more likely you’ll experience the problems above. Leaving vents open will also save you more money on heating bills and furnace repairs.

What does a bad furnace sound like?

Loud Pops & Bangs Homeowners often notice a popping sound when the furnace begins a cycle. This is due to warm air that hits the cold metal of the ducts, which causes expansion and produces that noise. When the popping noise is louder, your gas furnace’s burners may be dirty.

Why does my furnace make a loud boom?

Did you hear a loud boom coming from your furnace? When too much gas builds up in the combustion chamber and the ignition is delayed, your furnace experiences a small gas explosion. This can be caused by low gas pressure, clogged burners, and dirty equipment.

Why does my furnace smell like it’s burning?

As your furnace heats back up it is burning this dust off, hence the burning smell. This is normal and is not considered to be a safety hazard. The smell should go away after a few hours once the furnace burns all the dust away.