A furnace is often a background player in your home, keeping you warm during the cold winter months. It frequently won't be noticed until a malfunction appears.
One cause could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can be a safety risk, so it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the evidence of a cracked heat exchanger and what to do if you believe that might be 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 circulates through the air ducts. It usually does this with coils or tubes that warm the air while acting as a barrier to keep the gasses produced in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from getting out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Thanks to its key role, it isn't surprising that a cracked heat exchanger can be very dangerous. Cracks in the heat exchanger can enable dangerous gasses – such as carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to be distributed throughout your home.
For that reason, never turn on your furnace if you think it has a cracked heat exchanger, as doing so could make the whole household sick. Contact an HVAC professional immediately if you are worried your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that needs repair.
Four Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace shuts off: A cracked heat exchanger could cause your furnace to turn off.
- Unusual Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has a strong chemical scent, it could be evidence gasses are 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 health problems: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide in your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or family members could struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling drowsy. If the alarm goes off or you feel unusually tired, exit the home right away and then call for help.
- Soot: If you find black sooty collecting on the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something could be seriously wrong.
What You Can Do if Your Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you worry your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, contact a professional well versed in furnace installation Chatsworth as soon as possible so they can inspect your system and, if required, start a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs often 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 regularly protected by the warranty. You should review the warranty paperwork on your furnace, as while the warranty may not cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly shrink your bill.
How to Avoid a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the easiest ways to minimize the risk of problems in your furnace overall is with regular furnace maintenance. Furnaces provide the best possible return on investment when they operate efficiently. Contacting a trained professional to check your furnace for broken-down parts, clogs in the air filters and other common problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also beneficial to inspect your furnace filters every few months – it’s ideal 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 drawing air through a clogged filter makes your entire furnace work longer to complete its job. And the harder your furnace works, the more wear and tear components like the heat exchanger will sustain.