The $100 House Tip for March 5, 2008, in Ottawa Canada

Posted on March 5, 2008 
Filed Under Ottawa Today, Valerie Zinger

tulips_102.jpgThis bouquet is for Gus.

I just wrote a cheque for $99.75 to Gus-N-Air Systems Ltd. for a home visit.  This morning the furnace stopped and it was not until the house got to 18 degrees that I realized that there was no forced warm air coming through the vents.  I called Gus at 613-823-0523.  Despite the snow storm and the terrible road conditions, Gus and his wife were here within 2 hours.  After looking at the furnace, he said that everything was fine BUT no fresh air was coming into the furnace to allow for combustion.  What???  So we trooped out of the house and yes, the three black plastic pipes were covered in snow.

Pipe 1 - Hot water tank exhaust pipe was visible but getting close to being covered.  Pipe2 - Gas Furnance exhaust pipe was like the hot water tank pipe BUT Pipe 3 - the fresh air intake for the gas furnace under 12 inches of snow with a plug of ice at the mouth of the pipe.  I got out the shovels and, with Gus’s help, we dug down to remove the snow.  It was literally that deep.  When the snow was removed, the furnace finally was getting air and everything is back on track. 

My $100 hint for today is to check that snow is not covering your furnance and hot water exhaust and intake pipes.  These used to be on the roof of houses.  Newer houses have the pipes on the exterior side of the house near ground level and closest to the side of the house where the furnace is located. Remove the snow around your pipes and your gas meter.

Bless Gus.  Thank you.

Valerie Zinger~Ph.  613-723-5300 ~ Email:  vzinger@royallepage.ca

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