How to inspect high-efficiency furnace venting

High-efficiency furnaces use PVC pipes to vent the exhaust gases out of the home, and manufacturers are very specific about how the installation should be done. As a home inspector, how far should I go to make sure the vent is properly installed? Of course, I'd report on a vent that wasn't vented to the outdoors. But what about a vent that terminates too close to an openable window? Maybe, right? And what about a vent that has too many elbows? I think this is where a lot of home inspectors start to shake their heads and say that this goes beyond our standard of practice... but why?
I won't tell you exactly what a home inspector should or shouldn't report on, but I will cover some of the most common defects that we come across as home inspectors.

Пікірлер: 30

  • @rig1229
    @rig1229 Жыл бұрын

    Hey thanks! It’s -44 here in Canada and my furnace went out. This helped me figure it out and my 2 baby daughters thank you too.

  • @joshua-the-seer8494
    @joshua-the-seer8494 Жыл бұрын

    Quality content! I'd love to see videos specifically targeting HVAC&R Contractors advising us how to better comply with standards & codes. Thank you

  • @zeebridge88
    @zeebridge88 Жыл бұрын

    Very helpful. Thanks for the information you explained it so well.

  • @jrpeet
    @jrpeet Жыл бұрын

    Love the reference to Prov 16:2

  • @GaryMonfeli
    @GaryMonfeli2 жыл бұрын

    Always great stuff

  • @steveurbach3093
    @steveurbach3093 Жыл бұрын

    Since you mentioned condensate traps... Maybe the whole condensate system is also part of the same inspection.

  • @dougk7965
    @dougk7965 Жыл бұрын

    Thx for posting

  • @kaaaah2003
    @kaaaah20032 жыл бұрын

    Nice one. Keep it up

  • @emeraldmayfair
    @emeraldmayfair

    I don't know who designed this system but they were not thinking clearly. We live in Buffalo, NY. All the high efficiency furnaces have this insane system. Every winter we are totally snowed under to the point we can't get out our back doors. Of course the exhaust systems are in the back of the house. We may be able to get out the front door but there was no way we could get around the house to clear the snow from the vents. Add crazy drifting to the snow mix and we're in trouble every year. The vents are too close to the ground. For the last few years, I've had to hang out our kitchen window trying to keep the vents from being buried. I'm in my late 70's. I am not the only one's having this problem. Every age group is having this problem. If we put a tent like cover over the vents (we own a duplex so we have two vent systems) we can't get to clear the snow at all. The "tent" isn't going to stop the amount of snow or drifting in to cover the vents. This is not a safe system. Something needs to be done to correct this problem. We found that if we get a new high-efficiency furnace, we're going to have the same problem.

  • @jakec5618
    @jakec5618 Жыл бұрын

    Im curious if the high efficiency furnace we have is vented properly. How do you know if you have a direct vent with 2 pipes (intake, exhaust) vs one pipe system (just exhaust)?

  • @biblebloopers946
    @biblebloopers946 Жыл бұрын

    Are there codes for how long you can run your flue pipes with standard efficiency furnaces?

  • @fritzk9118
    @fritzk9118

    Where did you mention the types of pipe to watch for?

  • @lamarbanks4565
    @lamarbanks4565 Жыл бұрын

    I live in Minnesota and have had a couple contractors say different things. When there’s a deck involved with a high efficiency furnace installation, is it common practice to run the pvc under the deck and cut a whole through the front of the deck for the two pipes?

  • @davidcrowell5280
    @davidcrowell5280

    Hey great vids. I am buying a house and just had an inspection done. The current owner had a large concrete patio installed and both intakes for the water heater and the furnace are only about 1-1.5” from the concrete. This seems like a problem and I hope there is an easy fix. Please advise.

  • @DesignLead
    @DesignLead

    I see both white pipes going through the roof. Do you think it was installed wrong? What should i look for??

  • @cspill99
    @cspill99 Жыл бұрын

    what type of pipe is code for the exhaust pipe? I've heard not to use Charlotte for some reason, but i know you're supposed to use a schedule 40. Can you help?

  • @GiGi-lg1dl
    @GiGi-lg1dl Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Does anyone know if grates can be put on the pipes to keep critters out? 🐁 🐜 🐝

  • @isabellavision
    @isabellavision

    I think the guideline that an exhaust pipe should not exit near a window is a little ridiculous, there are bigger considerations (i.e. ideal run length with minimal use of 90s, etc.) because when we are running our furnace, it's cold outside. And when it's cold outside, we tend not to open windows. So in the unlikely event someone decides to open a window when it's cold enough to be running the furnace and happens to choose the ONE window in the house near the high-efficiency furnace exhaust, and the wind/draft situation is just right to direct some fumes into the house, the smell will annoy somebody pretty quickly. It will also be heavily diluted by fresh air from outside, not concentrated fumes.

  • @rubengh777
    @rubengh777 Жыл бұрын

    I get condensation on the furnace exhaust vent pipes then it drips in to the furnace. What may be the issue?

  • @levibprice787
    @levibprice787 Жыл бұрын

    I really wish you would have taken the time to go over the clearances from openings and different structures. This video would have been way more helpful.