what to do with furnace outdoor intake and exhaust

[geoss54]

Hi,
Have a hi-eff gas Carrier with the intake and exhaust outside the house. Am preparing for Irene in the Philadelphia area. Should I cover the 2 openings to prevent water entering them???Thanks
George

[second opinion]

There should be no need to cover them.

[motoguy128]

They have drains since they are designed for condensate. If you get enough horizontal rain to to flood the unit... you will probably will have much, much much bigger water damage problems throughout your home.

[HVACTechNC]

Plugging or blocking combustion air openings and exhaust gas flue piping is pretty much a bad idea all the way around...

The only time I would recommend that is: Never.

[pwg11386]

Most major news networks are concerned about the dangers that Hurricane Irene poses to large cities in the North East. In fact, CNN has posted a story about how New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey are halting transit services because of the storm. I think they've forgotten that the South is going to brave the brunt of the hurricane. No matter, because here in Hurricane Country it's business as usual. To our neighbors up North: good luck with a few sprinkles and the occasional strong breeze. Pussies.

-J. Mitchell

[hvacvegas]

They have drains since they are designed for condensate. If you get enough horizontal rain to to flood the unit... you will probably will have much, much much bigger water damage problems throughout your home.

Not on combustion air, other than rheem they don't.

[geoss54]

Thanks everyone. We'll be thinking of the South the next time you guys shut down because of flurries in the forecast. LOL.
Thanks, again!

[motoguy128]

Not on combustion air, other than rheem they don't.

Sorry, on the inlet that would be correct, but those are usually pointed downward or horizontal parallel to the side of the house. Not too much concern with rain getting in.

Either way, wouldn't that waer still end up in a place where it could drain, or would it collect in the sealed combustion area or the primary heat exchanger. it seems like they would still have a drain there as well since it's sealed and could end up with condensation.

[hvacvegas]

Sorry, on the inlet that would be correct, but those are usually pointed downward or horizontal parallel to the side of the house. Not too much concern with rain getting in.
I wouldn't be concerned with regular rain either. In a huricane though....I dunno.
Either way, wouldn't that waer still end up in a place where it could drain, or would it collect in the sealed combustion area or the primary heat exchanger. it seems like they would still have a drain there as well since it's sealed and could end up with condensation.
Yep, it could drain right on the many electronics in a burner compartment, or possibly drain on a board. Or it could drain out of the furnace, and up the drywall of a furance closet. There is no drain inside a furnace, other than sealed tubing going directly to the secondary.

Water in the combustion air is not good.
Usually, it would be hard to imagine an ammount of water in the combustion air that would cause real damage in the furnace.

If a 90 is horizontal the home during a huricane, I bet water will get in there.


All in all, I wouldn't suggest bagging any of the pipes. Mostly because I would be afraid of someone forgetting to remove them.

Anyone wanna guess what % of homeowners who use AC covers forget to take them off?

Interestinly enough, I wonder how the burners on a downflow would act if they were submerged....

[Clocker]

What about one of these for the intake (if not bent over 90-degrees) and/or exhaust?

http://savepipey.net/