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New Home | No Heat?

By Doug Francis

No natural gas heat and snow drift issue in Vienna new homes
Outside Gas Furnace Exhaust Vent

As another storm races up the East Coast threatening to dump a foot or more of snow, owners of new homes or retrofitted high-efficiency natural gas furnaces should know this tip.

Your natural gas furnace may vent to the side of your house, and it may also intake air from the side of your home.

Winds in a blizzard can cause light flaky snow to blow up against your exterior walls building snowdrifts that cover these critical furnace pipes.

If the intake or exhaust pipes get covered with snow then your system will shut down ~ and that may be your heating issue.

So, note where the pipes exit your home and go outside to make sure they are completely clear of snow or debris.


Last winter this exact situation happened to one of my clients who had bought a new home in Vienna, Virginia.

In his situation, fast blowing snow had built up over the air intake pipe which was located about two feet off the ground at his house.

The built-in safety switch worked well, shutting off the furnace on one of the coldest days of the year,

After spending an hour flipping switches and checking circuit breakers, he ventured outside to discover a snowdrift covering the fresh-air intake pipe to his furnace. These high-efficiency systems pull in the fresh air, and then exhaust the combustion fumes out a secondary pipe.

Most new homes have two heating systems, one for the basement and main level, and one for the bedroom level(s). The lower-level heating systems are the ones most prone to shut down by snowdrifts.

New natural gas furnaces are extremely energy efficient and work differently than older-style gas furnaces.

  • First, they don’t require a metal chimney as the exhaust is cool enough to be carried through special PVC pipes.
  • Second, they draw fresh air through an intake pipe into the combustion chamber rather than use the air from inside your home.

If you don’t have heat, check the side of your house!

The HVAC system will sense when airflow isn’t correct

and shut down to prevent a carbon monoxide problem.


New home construction, especially here in Vienna Virginia, seems to be focused on making homes super energy-efficient. One technique is using advanced insulation products like spray foam insulation, known as Icynene, which is commonly sprayed where floor joists meet exterior walls.

Icynene is sprayed into these joints where the Icynene expands before it hardens in place creating a very solid barrier that allows virtually no airflow.

Pulling in the combustion air and exhausting the fumes makes for a very efficient system.

For more about new home construction in Vienna, or send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com and I’ll get back to you.

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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