Does your home use a sidewall vent to funnel the exhaust and fumes from your furnace to the outside of your house? Do you ever give much thought to this vent? Most homeowners don't, but keeping your sidewall vent and meter free from obstruction, especially during the winter, is an important part of making your home safe and secure.
Finding the sidewall vent
Although most older homes have furnace vents on the roof of the house, many newer homes vent the furnace on the side of the structure. This vent connects directly to the furnace, and allows the exhaust and dangerous carbon monoxide to escape harmlessly from your home. If this vent becomes blocked by snow or landscaping, these fumes could re-enter your home and create an unsafe living environment.
Maintaining your sidewall vent
HVAC professionals recommend keeping a 48-inch clearance around the sidewall vent and meter. This means removing newly fallen snow and making sure that drifts don't form in this area. In addition, avoid planting shrubs or large plants near the vent, and keep any existing plants well trimmed.
Gas meter safety
Your gas meter does more than just tell the gas company how much gas you've used in a given month. The meter also functions as a release mechanism in the event of a malfunction in your gas line. The meter can even cause a gas leak if your snow removal company isn't aware of the meter's location. For safety, keep your meter free from snow and icicles. Use a broom, not a shovel, to move the snow away from the meter so as not to cause any damage.
Keeping your sidewall vent and meter free from snow and ice is just one of many things you can do to keep your home safe during the winter season. When you need help keeping your Massachusetts heating system running safely and smoothly, give Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We've been helping homeowners along the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts since 1928.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
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