---
title: How Do I Clear Out My Exterior Vents?
description: It is important in winter months to check your furnace intake and exhaust pipes on your home exterior regularly to ensure that they are free of obstruction.
---

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# How Do I Clear Out My Exterior Vents?

Seasonal changes such as snow and ice can bring some undesirable consequences to the performance of the functional components in your home. During the days of cold weather, condensation that is in the intake system can freeze or get blocked resulting in the furnace to shut off.

It is [important in winter months](https://info.excelhomes.ca/knowledge/winter-checklist?hsLang=en) to check your furnace intake and exhaust pipes on the exterior of your home regularly to ensure that they are free of obstruction *(eg. removing snow and ice in the winter)*.

Blockages can be the leading cause of heating issues *(eg. furnace shutdowns)* and CO2 emissions inside a home. If this happens, go outside and check your intake system pipe. If it is blocked, remove any snow and/or ice that might have formed around the pipe. Once it's cleared, go back inside and switch the furnace switch back on to start up your furnace again.

This is an important step in homeowner maintenance and ensure that the heart of your home is running to it’s fullest capabilities. Here's an example image of the vents located on the side of your house:

![sample\_intake\_exhaust\_furnace\_600px](https://info.excelhomes.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/sample_intake_exhaust_furnace_600px.jpg?width=600&height=330&name=sample_intake_exhaust_furnace_600px.jpg)

 

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*Related articles: [How Do I Check and Control My Humidity?](https://info.excelhomes.ca/knowledge/how-do-i-check-and-control-my-humidity?hsLang=en) | [Winter Checklist](https://info.excelhomes.ca/knowledge/winter-checklist?hsLang=en)*

*Last updated on Mar. 28, 2025*

 

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