A furnace is almost always a background player for your home, helping keep you warm during the cold winter months. It regularly isn't noticed until a malfunction appears.
One source could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can be a safety risk, so it’s important to learn the symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger and what to do if you are worried that is the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger transfers heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that flows throughout the air ducts. It typically handles this using coils or tubes that heat the air while functioning as a barrier to keep gas formed in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from escaping 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 pose a risk. A damaged heat exchanger can enable dangerous gasses – including carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to be distributed throughout your home.
For that reason, do NOT use your heating if you believe it has a cracked heat exchanger, as this could make your entire household ill. Contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible if you are worried your heater has a cracked heat exchanger that should be repaired.
Four Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace shuts off: A cracked heat exchanger may cause your furnace to turn off.
- Odd Smells: If the air leaving your furnace has an intense chemical scent, it may be an indicator that gasses are leaking through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which will often smell like formaldehyde, are a major warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm is triggered or you recognize poisoning symptoms: If a cracked heat exchanger is releasing carbon monoxide in your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or family members might struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling tired. If your alarm goes off or you feel unwell, leave the home immediately and then call for help.
- Soot: If you find black sooty buildup on the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something might be seriously wrong.
What You Can Do if Your Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you suspect your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, contact a pro experienced in furnace installation Litchfield Park as soon as possible so they can inspect your system and, if needed, start a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs will fluctuate depending on the situation, but estimates run in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $3,000.
Fortunately, the good news is that heat exchangers are generally protected by the warranty. You’ll want to check the warranty paperwork on your furnace, because while the warranty may not cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly reduce your bill.
How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the best ways to prevent a problem in your furnace overall is with routine furnace maintenance. Furnaces work the best when they operate efficiently. Calling a certified professional to inspect your furnace for worn-out parts, clogs in the air filters and other potential problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also helpful to inspect your furnace filters every few months – it’s ideal some filters be swapped out every 90 days or sooner if they are dirty or grimy. While the filters aren't connected to the heat exchanger itself, the strain of dragging air through a clogged filter makes the entire furnace work harder to complete its job. And the harder your furnace needs to run, the more wear and tear components like the heat exchanger will experience.