where is my furnace exhaust pipe

Where is my furnace exhaust pipe? Once outside, look for the intake and exhaust pipes. 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.

Full Answer

Where is the intake and exhaust pipe on a furnace?

First, locate your furnace and find the intake and exhaust pipes. They are usually white or black PVC pipes that exit a wall near your furnace. Take a mental note of where they exit the building and head outside. Once outside, look for the intake and exhaust pipes.

Where is the furnace vent pipe on a house?

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.

Which way does the exhaust pipe go on a car?

The exhaust pipe should be pointing up and the intake pointing down. If your intake is above the exhaust terminal, the intake might be sucking up exhaust gases ( carbon monoxide, etc.) back into the home! Sidewall vents should not be located near any doors or windows.

Can my furnace exhaust pipe be repaired?

While it may be easy to diagnose a problem with your furnace exhaust pipe, repairing the problem may require the services of a trained HVAC technician. Do You Need Furnace or Heating System Repair?

Do all furnaces have an exhaust pipe?

Proper venting is essential on all types of furnaces used to heat homes in order for the appliance to run efficiently and to keep your family safe. However, furnace vent pipe requirements vary for different types of furnaces.

How do I know if my furnace exhaust is clogged?

2:524:12How To Troubleshoot A Gas Furnace with a Blocked Exhaust VentYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsually not occasionally you could have a bad pressure switch but most cases there's an obstructionMoreUsually not occasionally you could have a bad pressure switch but most cases there's an obstruction in the vent that's gonna cause the pressure switch to open its contacts.

How do you unclog a furnace vent 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.

Where is a flue pipe located?

The flue pipe is a duct pipe that vents, or exhausts, gases from inside the home to the outside. A byproduct of combustion contains carbon monoxide and other dangerous compounds.

How do you clear a furnace flue?

Locate the flue cap and put on work gloves. Clean off the flue cap with a rag and then take it off. Look inside the pipe and remove any debris that you might see. A broomstick might work if you need to nudge out something stuck inside, like a bird nest, and a vent cleaning brush is helpful for cleaning out soot.

What happens if furnace vent is blocked?

Furnaces can shut off entirely because these vents are blocked with snow or ice – this is simply a safety mechanism. Without the proper ventilation, carbon monoxide can build up inside your home. The blockage of your vents will also decrease your energy efficiency.

Does a furnace have an exhaust?

To prevent a gas leak, your furnace is integrated with an exhaust pipe that is engineered to vent natural gas to the outdoor air. To help you protect your family from the negative consequences of carbon monoxide, we will be discussing how a furnace circulates gas and various types of furnace venting systems.

Can you smell furnace exhaust?

The issue: The gas from your furnace exhaust pipe (which expels outdoors) is blowing back through an open window or door to your home. It is totally normal to smell a gas smell in the exhaust from your HVAC system, as this is how it expels used fuel or gas that may not have been completely used in your system.

How often should furnace flue be cleaned?

A flue that is unable to properly vent can become filled with dangerous, and even deadly vapors that will eventually leak right back into your home. Therefore, it is essential that you have your flue inspected and properly cleaned at least once a year.

How to check if furnace is working?

First, locate your furnace and find the intake and exhaust pipes. They are usually white or black PVC pipes that exit a wall near your furnace.

How far should vent terminals be from intake?

Vent terminals must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure there is a minimum clearance of 5 feet around the intake and exhaust pipes. If you have any plants nearby, cut them back and clear the area of all clutter and debris.

Is it safe to trim exhaust pipes?

While it may be tempting to trim or hide your intake and exhaust pipes, it can be dangerous and even illegal to do so. Look inside the pipes to make sure there is nothing blocking airflow, such as nests, dead animals, ice, and debris.

2. Furnace heats up for a little while, then shuts off

Another sign that your exhaust vent is blocked is when your furnace heats up for a short time, then it shuts off quickly.

3. Furnace cover panel gets hot

If you touch the front cover of your furnace and feel that it’s quite hot, then your exhaust vent might be blocked.

4. Bad smells when your furnace is heating

If you have bad smells coming from your furnace while it’s on, then there is a chance that your exhaust vent is blocked.

What is the most important part of a gas furnace?

One of the most important parts of a gas-powered furnace is the exhaust flue. Although this component plays a largely passive role in furnace operation, your system simply couldn’t work without it. If you would like to improve your knowledge of residential HVAC systems, keep reading. This article outlines three important things to know about ...

What is flue in a furnace?

The flue provides a direct conduit to the outdoors, allowing exhaust gases to move up out of your home and safely disperse. 2. Most Furnaces Use Natural Draft. Unless you own a high-efficiency condensing furnace, chances are your flue system works on the principal of natural draft. The term natural draft refers to the ability ...

What are the two things that would happen if a furnace was perfect?

1. 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. Unfortunately, virtually no furnaces can achieve 100 percent efficiency.

Why do furnaces cost more to run?

Such furnaces cost more to run since they fail to capitalize on a significant amount of energy. When the time comes for a new furnace, more and more homeowners choose a high-efficiency model. Many such furnaces contain a component known as a draft inducer.

Does exhaust gas have a higher temperature than incoming air?

The exhaust gases produced by your furnace have a much higher temperature than the incoming air. As a result, the exhaust gas exists at a lower pressure relative to the fresh air flowing into your furnace.

Can a furnace be 100 percent efficient?

Unfortunately, virtually no furnaces can achieve 100 percent efficiency. Instead, some portion of gas fails to combust entirely. This process of partial combustion leads to the formation of a wide range of byproducts. Many of these substances — carbon monoxide, most notably — have a highly toxic nature.

Can a new furnace be compatible with existing flue pipe?

Many people experience flue problems when installing new furnaces. Simply put, your new furnace may not be compatible with your existing flue pipe.

Is the Exhaust from a High Efficiency Furnace Dangerous?

In theory, the combustion of gas should generate only water vapor and carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, even the furnaces that are highly efficient aren’t able to combust the gas entirely.

Can My Furnace Make Me Sick?

Yes, a heating system that is not properly maintained can make you feel sick.

Does Furnace Exhaust Contain Carbon Monoxide?

Yes, furnace exhaust does contain carbon monoxide as it is created during the process of burning gas.

How Do You Check for Carbon Monoxide in Your Home?

The most common locations for a carbon monoxide leak within the HVAC system are the exhaust flue and within the heat exchanger.

Where Is My Furnace Exhaust Vent?

You should inspect and clean the intake and exhaust pipes from time to time. But to do that, you should first be able to find them.

How Close Can a Furnace Exhaust Be to a Window?

Of course, you wouldn’t want the exhaust gases to leave your house only to come back a minute later through a window.

What Happens If Furnace Exhaust Is Blocked?

If your HVAC system is operating properly and only the exhaust is blocked, then the pressure switch will get triggered, and the unit won’t turn on until you get the exhaust cleared.

How to Inspect Furnace Intake and Exhaust Pipes

First, shut off the power to the furnace at the circuit-breaker box. Look for your furnace intake pipes, which are often white or black PVC pipes that exit a wall close to your furnace. Find where the intake pipes exit on the outside of your house. They are close to where your furnace is on the inside.

Other Things You Can do

Ensure that there is a minimum of five feet of free space around the intake and exhaust pipes. If you have any plants around, cut them. Also, make sure to remove any debris from the area, as well as anything that hangs around. If you don’t have vent screens, ask a professional technician if they are okay for your home or business.

Importance of a Professional Tune-Up

A professional furnace tune-up is important for your safety, to improve energy efficiency, and to keep your gas bill down. A technician will clean out your furnace intake and exhaust pipes or perform other services that are specific to which type of furnace you have, such as gas furnaces or oil furnaces.

Contact Us For More Tips On How to Inspect And Clean Furnace Intake And Exhaust Pipes

If you want more information about how to inspect and clean furnace intake and exhaust pipes, please get in touch with us today. You may also call us if you need someone to help inspect and clean your intake and exhaust valves. Contact us at (540) 373-5876. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

How do exhaust pipes work?

The outer and bigger pipe draws the air for combustion (from outside), while the smaller one is constructed in the inner position to expel the exhaust gas. The pipes can be set in two ways: horizontally through the sidewall or vertically through the roof.

What type of vent is used for a furnace?

Here are some of the venting types: 1. Natural vent. Also known as Type B, this vent is operating on natural air convection. This structure generally uses the furnace vent pipe through roof because the B venting pipe is designed in a vertical manner. When the vent is withdrawing air from the house, it expels the gas outside through the vent.

What Kind of Furnace Do You Have?

Before you try to diagnose a problem with the exhaust vent on your furnace, you must know which type of furnace you have. In general, residential HVAC systems come in two forms. Each of these types of residential HVAC systems presents a distinct set of potential problems.

Problems with Conventional Furnaces

First, you should understand that conventional furnaces should not produce any water at all. If your conventional furnace is leaking water from the exhaust vent pipe, you have a definite problem that needs attention.

Take Care of the Problem ASAP

Whether you have a standard furnace or a condensing furnace, any water around the furnace is a cause for concern. The problem may be exposing your family to toxic gases. Ignoring the signs of problems can lead to more costly repairs or even a catastrophe.

What if I See Water Around My Furnace When the AC is Operating

A refrigerated air conditioning system condenses water from the atmosphere instead of the exhaust gases. As air passes through the refrigerant coils on the AC, the moisture in the air condenses. The water collects in a pan under the coils and flows to a drain through the drain line.

Other Possible Problems

If the water you see is running down the vent pipe to your furnace and the furnace is not operating, this could be a clue that you have a roof problem and not a furnace problem. You may have a leak around the vent cap where the furnace vent pipe exits the roof.