A furnace is usually a background player at home, helping keep you warm in the cold winter months. It often doesn’t get noticed until something breaks down.
One cause may be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can potentially be hazardous, so it’s important to learn the signs 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 transition heat from the combustion chamber of your furnace to the air that flows through the air ducts. It typically accomplishes this via coils or tubes that heat the air while functioning as a barrier to keep byproducts created in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from getting out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Given its important role, it’s no surprise that a damaged heat exchanger can be very dangerous. A crack in the heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – such as carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to circulate across your home.
For this reason, do NOT turn on your furnace if you think there's a crack in the heat exchanger, as doing so could make the whole household ill. Call an HVAC professional immediately if you think 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.
- Unusual Smells: If the air escaping your furnace has a strong chemical odor, it might be evidence gasses are leaking through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which may smell like formaldehyde, are a major warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you recognize symptoms of poisoning: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or family members could struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Complications include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling sleepy. If your alarm goes off or you feel sick, leave the home as soon as you can and then call for help.
- Soot: If you notice black sooty accumulating on the exterior of your furnace, it’s another sign something may be seriously wrong.
What You Can Do if a Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you suspect your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, contact a professional with extensive experience in furnace installation York right away so they can inspect your system and, if needed, start a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs often vary depending on the situation, but estimates run in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $3,000.
However, the good news is that heat exchangers are generally protected by the warranty. You’ll want to confirm the warranty paperwork on your furnace, since while the warranty won't always cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly reduce 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 work the best when they work efficiently. Contacting a skilled professional to inspect your furnace for broken-down parts, clogs in the air filters and other common problems can keep you from getting a big bill later on.
It’s also beneficial to take a look at your furnace filters every few months – it’s recommended some filters be swapped out 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 longer to complete its job. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more deterioration components like the heat exchanger will experience.