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Winter Home Safety: The Importance of Keeping Your Exterior Vents Clear

Winter Home Safety: The Importance of Keeping Your Exterior Vents Clear

Winter Maintenance: Keep Your Exterior Vents Clear

Winter in Calgary is synonymous with heavy snow and freezing temperatures. While clearing driveways and sidewalks is often top-of-mind, one essential task homeowners frequently overlook is keeping exterior vents free of snow and ice. Ensuring these vents are unobstructed is critical for your home’s safety, efficiency, and comfort.

Understanding Exterior Vents and Their Functions

Your home features several key vents, each serving vital purposes:

  1. Gas Meter

    • While not an exhaust vent, the gas meter ensures a safe natural gas supply. Keeping it accessible prevents damage and allows for maintenance or emergency checks.

  2. Water Heater Exhaust

    • This vent expels harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, produced during water heater operation. Blockages can lead to inefficiency or dangerous gas backflows into your home.

  3. Furnace Exhaust

    • Like the water heater vent, this removes combustion gases. If snow or ice blocks this vent, your furnace may shut down or pose safety risks.

  4. Dryer Vent

    • Removes moisture and lint during laundry cycles. Blockages here not only reduce dryer efficiency but also significantly increase fire risks.

The Calgary Winter Challenge

In Calgary, where snowfall can be heavy and temperatures drop drastically, blocked vents can cause:

  • Health Hazards: Carbon monoxide buildup from blocked vents is life-threatening and invisible. A carbon monoxide detector is a must for every home.

  • Reduced Efficiency: Blockages force appliances to work harder, increasing energy bills.

  • Appliance Shutdowns: Modern systems often include safety features that shut down appliances when vents are blocked, leaving you without heat during freezing temperatures.

Proactive Maintenance Tips

To ensure your vents remain functional throughout the winter, follow these simple steps:

  1. Inspect Regularly

    • After heavy snowfalls, check all exterior vents for snow and ice accumulation.

  2. Clear the Surrounding Area

    • Shovel snow at least 1-2 feet away from the base of your home where vents are located.

  3. Install Vent Covers

    • Specialized covers prevent snow buildup without hindering airflow.

  4. Avoid Directing Snow Toward Vents

    • When using a snowblower, take care to avoid blowing snow toward exterior walls.

  5. Schedule Annual Maintenance

    • Have professionals inspect and service your furnace, water heater, and dryer to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Local Building Code Considerations

Calgary’s building codes offer guidance to minimize vent blockages:

  • Gas Meters: Must remain accessible for utility inspections by providers like Enmax or ATCO.

  • Exhaust Vents: Should be installed at least 12 inches above the average snow level. However, in heavy snow years, even this may not suffice, making regular checks vital.

Final Thoughts

Winter maintenance goes beyond shoveling driveways it’s about protecting your home and family from potential hazards. Clear exterior vents ensure your home operates efficiently, safely, and comfortably during Calgary’s harsh winters.

For more expert tips on home maintenance or real estate advice, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
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