Do High-efficiency Furnaces Require Special Venting?

Yes, high-efficiency furnaces require a specific type of venting known as sealed combustion venting. Unlike standard furnaces that often use a traditional chimney and metal flue pipes, high-efficiency (condensing) units are designed with advanced technology that changes how exhaust is handled.

Here are the specific venting requirements for these systems:

• PVC or ABS Piping: Because high-efficiency furnaces extract so much heat from the exhaust, the remaining gases cool down and condense into a slightly acidic liquid. This acidity would corrode and destroy traditional metal pipes, so durable PVC or ABS piping is required for both the intake and exhaust.
• Sidewall Termination: Instead of exiting through the roof via a chimney, these pipes typically vent through a side wall of your home. This gives you more flexibility in where the furnace is placed within your house.
• Sealed Combustion: The system uses two pipes—one to draw fresh air from outside for combustion and one to exhaust the waste gases. This design prevents the furnace from pulling warm air out of your living space and eliminates the risk of backdrafting, which improves both safety and indoor air quality.
• Proper Clearance: To meet safety codes and ensure reliable operation, the exhaust outlet must be located at least 12 inches above the ground and kept clear of windows, doors, and air intakes.

With over 25 years of experience serving the Calgary area, we ensure that every installation meets these strict safety and local building codes, providing you with reliable comfort in every season.

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