Snow, Ice Buildup Can Interfere with Furnace Operation
February 07 2008 - 4:07PM
PR Newswire (US)
ROYAL OAK, Mich., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mother Nature
continues to batter Michigan residents with snow, ice and cold
winter temperatures. Consumers Energy reminds customers to keep
safety in mind by making sure their gas meters, as well as furnace
fresh air intakes and exhaust pipes, are free of ice and snow. When
snow is allowed to build up around these areas it can become
compacted and freeze. This can cause damage that interferes with
proper operation of the natural gas meter and furnace. Customers
are advised to carefully remove snow by hand and not use power snow
removal equipment around these areas. While most fresh air intake
valves and exhaust pipes are generally located on the sides of
buildings, in manufactured or mobile homes they are most often
located on the roof. Some customers in manufactured or mobile homes
have experienced furnace problems because of snow and ice buildup.
"It's important that customers keep meters, fresh air vents and
exhaust pipes clear, particularly after the heavy snowfalls and ice
buildup our state has experienced," said Gary VanOchten, operations
manager. "Not only can snow and ice buildup cause furnaces and
appliances such as water heaters to stop operating, it can also
cause potentially life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning to
develop." Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless,
odorless, tasteless and can be produced when appliances aren't
operating or venting properly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning often mimic the flu and include headaches, nausea,
fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and stinging or burning of
the eyes. The best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning is to
install an audible alarm that will sound if dangerous levels of
carbon monoxide are present. To help ensure the safety of meter
readers, customers are also asked to keep their sidewalks,
stairways and gate areas free of snow and ice buildup. A clear path
to the meter and a meter that is clearly visible without a build-
up of snow and ice will help make meters easier to read and reduce
the need for estimating energy use. Consumers Energy, the principal
subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, provides natural gas and
electric utility to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million
residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. DATASOURCE: Consumers
Energy CONTACT: Terry DeDoes, +1-517-374-2159, or Debra Dodd
+1-248-433-5781, both of Consumers Energy Web site:
http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News On-Call:
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