Side vented furnace blocked by snow

lindsayspop

We have a Lennox Pulse Direct Vent Central Furnace Model G1404/5-100-7. It works well but the 2 inch PVC pipe is placed so low on the side of the house that drifting snow blocks the intake pipe and chokes the furnace. We awoke to a 50 degree house a couple of weeks ago and had to shovel out the intake to get air to the furnace.
The furnace is about 15 feet from the exit wall. The intake pipe rises about 18 inches from the manifold, takes off at 45 degrees for another 16 inches or so, turns another 45 degrees until the pipe encounters a wall about 4 feet out, then turns at 90 degrees and runs about 12 feet until it exits the exterior wall after a couple of 45 degree turns to allow it to rise above the sill plate. After exiting through the wall, it only clears the ground by about 15 inches.
Question: Based on what I described, is it possible to add another two turns to the exhaust pipe to elevate it another foot or two above its current height? Thanks.

yuri

YEP. You should get the heat exchanger pressure tested by a Lennox tech for safety as a bunch of them failed/cracked. I grew up with those units. Ugh!!

lindsayspop

We have had it regularly serviced but don't think they have ever pressure tested the heat exchanger. When you replied, did your YEP mean it is okay to make the changes I asked about in order to get the pipe out of the snow zone?

yuri

Yes. You can extend the intake and exhaust pipes. The heat exchanger should be pressure tested by a Lennox tech who knows how as per Lennox. If it is leaking/cracked it can be dangerous. Lifetime warranty on it to the original owner. 20 yrs to 2nd owner. If it fails the test Lennox gives you a $$ credit towards a new G61 or G71 furnace I believe.

lindsayspop

Thanks again. I assume they'll charge me for the test but it will be worth the piece of mind.

yuri

Yep. Usually around $150 or more but it needs to be done every 4 yrs. Make sure you have 2 new CO detetctors in the house. 1 in the bedroom area.

Good Luck