A furnace is almost always a background player for your home, helping keep you warm during the cold winter months. It often doesn’t get noticed until something goes wrong.
One source could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It’s a potentially dangerous issue, so it’s critical to learn the signs of a cracked heat exchanger and what you should do if you are worried that might be the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger transfers heat from the combustion chamber of your furnace to the air that moves inside the ventilation. It usually handles this with coils or tubes that heat the air while serving as a barrier to keep gas produced in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from leaking out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Thanks to its key role, it’s no surprise that a cracked heat exchanger can be very dangerous. Cracks in the heat exchanger can permit dangerous gasses – like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to circulate across your home.
For this reason, don't ever turn on your heating if you believe you're dealing with a cracked heat exchanger, as this could make the entire household sick. Call an HVAC professional right away if you think your heating has a cracked heat exchanger that needs repair.
Four Symptoms of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace switches off: A cracked heat exchanger may cause your furnace to turn off.
- Odd Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has a powerful chemical odor, it could be evidence gas is seeping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which can smell like formaldehyde, are a common warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm is triggered or you recognize poisoning symptoms: If a cracked heat exchanger is emitting carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or family members could experience signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling drowsy. If an alarm goes off or you feel unwell, leave the home immediately and then call for help.
- Soot: If you notice black sooty accumulating on the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something might be seriously wrong.
What You Should Do if a Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you suspect your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, call a professional experienced in furnace installation Hasbrouck Heights right away so they can examine your system and, if needed, start a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs often fluctuate depending on the situation, but estimates can roughly suggest $1,000 to $3,000.
Fortunately, the good news is that heat exchangers are regularly included in the warranty. It's a good idea to confirm the warranty paperwork on your furnace, because while the warranty won't always cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly lower your bill.
How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the most convenient ways to minimize the risk of problems in your furnace overall is through regular furnace maintenance. Furnaces offer the most benefits when they operate efficiently. Hiring a trained professional to examine your furnace for worn-out parts, clogs in the air filters and other likely problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also helpful to take a look at 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 connected to the heat exchanger itself, the strain of pulling air through a clogged filter makes the entire furnace work harder to accomplish its job. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more strain pieces like the heat exchanger will sustain.