Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Home Sellers
  • Contact

New Homes | No Heat?

January 22, 2016 By Doug Francis

No gas heat in #blizzard2016 snow drift issue in Vienna new homesAs the historic #Blizzard2016 roars into Virginia, you might find that your furnace isn’t working. Hey, #TheWinterAwakens !

If that is the case, here is another 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, like I see here in Vienna, to blow up against your walls building snow drifts 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.


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

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

After spending an hour flipping switches and checking circuit breakers, he ventured outside to discover the snow drift that was covering the fresh-air intake pipe to his furnace.

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 snow drifts.

New natural gas furnaces are extremely energy efficient and work differently that 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.

 

The 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 joist 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 air flow.

And that is a reason why natural gas furnaces have air intake pipes since new homes here are designed to be air-tight, ~ during events like the historic #Blizzard2016 or during one of our world famous heat waves in July.

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

 

 

Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

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

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he "starred" in a tech commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the town tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Thinking of Moving?

Let me know if you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market. Let me know if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here and let's talk.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Home project during pandemic

It’s Okay! Pretend like you’re Getting Ready to Sell

Right now, having a do-able home project may be just what you need to reduce your stress levels. Really, it’s okay to pretend a little while improving your home and current lifestyle. Putting together plans to help my clients prepare their homes to appeal to the Vienna real estate market is always fun, but, these […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing ~ and my marketing starts here. My elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

Thanks for reading... and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

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

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Logo for Washingtonian Best 2020
This material can only be used with written permission from Doug Francis, Realtor. Copyright 2020

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2021 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Deciding where you should start is often the most complex decision when planning a move.

I help my clients achieve their real estate goals starting with a plan.

Let’s talk, and give your dream a deadline.


Please know that we don’t share your phone number, email or any other information you provide.