
A furnace is almost always a background player at home, helping keep you warm in the cold winter months. It often won't be noticed until something breaks down.
One source may be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can potentially be hazardous, so it’s worthwhile to know the symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger and what you should do if you are worried that is the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger helps transition heat from the combustion chamber inside your furnace to the air that circulates inside the ventilation. It typically does this using coils or tubes that heat up the air while functioning as a barrier to keep byproducts produced in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from getting out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Because of its key role, it’s no surprise that a broken heat exchanger can be hazardous. A damaged heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to flow throughout your home.
For obvious reasons, don't ever turn on your heater if you suspect it has a cracked heat exchanger, as this could make the whole family sick. Reach out to an HVAC professional right away if you are worried your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that should be repaired.
Four Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace shuts off: A crack in your heat exchanger may cause your furnace to shut off.
- Odd Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has an intense chemical smell, it may be an indicator that gas is seeping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These byproducts, which can smell like formaldehyde, are a major warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you feel health problems: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide in your home, your carbon monoxide alarm should go off or family members might experience signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling drowsy. If your alarm goes off or you feel unusually tired, exit the home immediately and then call for help.
- Soot: If you see black sooty collecting on the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something may be seriously wrong.
What You Should Do if Your Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you believe your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, hire a professional well versed in furnace installation Central Point right away so they can take a look at your system and, if necessary, handle a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs should vary depending on the situation, but estimates often hover around $1,000 to $3,000.
Fortunately, the good news is that heat exchangers are generally included in the warranty. You’ll want to check the warranty paperwork on your furnace, as while the warranty might not cover the entire cost of repairs, it still may significantly lower 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 routine furnace maintenance. Furnaces provide the best possible return on investment when they operate efficiently. Contacting a skilled professional to examine your furnace for old 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 inspect your furnace filters every few months – it’s recommended some filters be changed 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 drawing air through a clogged filter makes the entire furnace work harder to complete its job. And the harder your furnace works, the more deterioration pieces like the heat exchanger will endure.