
A furnace is often a background player at home, keeping you warm across the cold winter months. It regularly doesn’t get noticed until something goes wrong.
One source may be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It’s a potentially dangerous issue, so it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the evidence of a cracked heat exchanger and what you can do if you are worried that may be the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger helps move heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that flows throughout the air ducts. It typically does this using coils or tubes that heat the air while acting as a barrier to keep byproducts formed in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from leaking out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Because of its key role, it’s no surprise that a cracked heat exchanger can be hazardous. Cracks in the heat exchanger can enable dangerous gasses – including carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to flow across your home.
For obvious reasons, never turn on your heater if you believe there's a crack in the heat exchanger, as letting it run could make the whole family sick. Contact an HVAC professional immediately if you are worried your heating has a cracked heat exchanger that should be repaired.
Four Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace turns off: A cracked heat exchanger can cause your furnace to shut off.
- Unusual Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has an intense chemical scent, it might be an indicator that gas is seeping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which will often smell like formaldehyde, are a common warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm initiates or you recognize symptoms of poisoning: If a cracked heat exchanger is emitting carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm should go off or household members might experience signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Complications include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling drowsy. If an alarm goes off or you feel unusually tired, exit the home immediately and then call for help.
- Soot: If you see black sooty buildup near the exterior of your furnace, it’s more evidence something may be seriously wrong.
What to Do if a Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you worry your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, call a pro well versed in furnace installation West Jefferson as soon as possible so they can inspect your system and, if needed, perform a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs should fluctuate depending on the situation, but estimates often hover around $1,000 to $3,000.
Fortunately, the good news is that heat exchangers are often protected by the warranty. It's a good idea to review the warranty paperwork on your furnace, as while the warranty won't always cover the entire cost of repairs, it can significantly shrink your bill.
How to Avoid a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the best ways to avoid problems in your furnace overall is through consistent furnace maintenance. Furnaces provide the best possible return on investment when they run efficiently. Calling a certified professional to check your furnace for old parts, dirty filters and other likely problems can keep you from getting a big bill later on.
It’s also helpful to inspect your furnace filters every few months – it’s encouraged some filters be changed every 90 days or sooner if they are dirty or grimy. While the filters are not part of the heat exchanger itself, the strain of dragging air through a clogged filter makes your entire furnace work harder to complete its job. And the harder your furnace needs to run, the more wear and tear parts like the heat exchanger will experience.