
A furnace is almost always a background player in your home, helping keep you warm during the cold winter months. It frequently isn't noticed until something breaks down.
One root cause could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can potentially be hazardous, so it’s worthwhile to learn the evidence of a cracked heat exchanger and what you can do if you suspect that is the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger helps transition heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that flows through the air ducts. It generally does this with coils or tubes that heat the air while acting as a barrier to keep gas created in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from escaping out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Thanks to its central role, it’s no surprise that a damaged heat exchanger can pose a risk. A crack in the heat exchanger can enable dangerous gasses – such as carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to circulate through your home.
For that reason, don't ever run your furnace if you believe it has a cracked heat exchanger, as doing so could make the entire household ill. Call an HVAC professional immediately if you believe your heater has a cracked heat exchanger that needs repair.
Four Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace shuts off: A crack in your heat exchanger may cause your furnace to shut off.
- Strange Smells: If the air escaping your furnace has a powerful chemical odor, it could be evidence gas is slipping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which may smell like formaldehyde, are a common warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm initiates or you recognize symptoms of poisoning: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm should go off or household members could struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling drowsy. If the alarm goes off or you feel unusually tired, leave the home as soon as you can and then call for help.
- Soot: If you spot black sooty buildup around the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something could be seriously wrong.
What You Should Do if the Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you believe your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, contact a professional well versed in furnace installation Warminster as soon as possible so they can examine your system and, if required, handle a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs should vary depending on the situation, but estimates often hover around $1,000 to $3,000.
However, the good news is that heat exchangers are generally included in the warranty. You’ll want to check the warranty paperwork on your furnace, since while the warranty might not cover the entire cost of repairs, it still may significantly lower your bill.
How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the easiest ways to minimize the risk of problems in your furnace overall is with routine furnace maintenance. Furnaces offer the most benefits when they run efficiently. Hiring a trained professional to inspect your furnace for old parts, dirty filters and other common problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also beneficial to review 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 aren't a part of the heat exchanger itself, the strain of dragging air through a clogged filter makes your entire furnace work longer to accomplish its job. And the harder your furnace works, the more wear and tear pieces like the heat exchanger will endure.