Winter Vent Safety Tips from the Buffalo Grove Fire Department

Photo caption: The furnace air intake (at left) and the exhaust (right) after being dug out of a deep snow drift.

In many homes, new high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters vent out the side of the building, which can create a serious problem during heavy snows and extended periods of extreme cold.

When those vents are buried in snow, they are no longer able to supply the furnace with the fresh air it needs to operate, and most will automatically shut off. However, not all of them will shut off, and that may create a potentially lethal situation if the exhaust vent is blocked and the furnace does not shut off. Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by the combustion process in the furnace can fill the house. The same can be true of a residential water heater, which also has a vent that needs to be kept clear.

Below are safety tips residents should follow:

• Keep at least a 3-foot area clear and free of snow around vents.
• Check regularly to make sure that strong winds haven't caused drifting.
• Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that is colorless and odorless.
• After clearing the vents, many furnaces will automatically restart, but not all of them. Aside from hearing the furnace restart and feeling warmth from the ducts, you'll know it's working because the warm air that's removed through the exhaust vent will melt nearby snow and can create small icicles.

For more information, please contact the Buffalo Grove Fire Department Public Education Department at 847-777-6110.