A furnace is usually a background player in your home, helping keep you warm in the cold winter months. It often isn't noticed until something goes wrong.
One root cause may be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can be a safety risk, so it’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the evidence of a cracked heat exchanger and what you should do if you suspect that may be the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger helps transition heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that flows inside the air ducts. It typically handles this using coils or tubes that heat up the air while functioning as a barrier to keep gas produced in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from getting out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Thanks to its central role, it isn't surprising that a cracked heat exchanger can pose a risk. A damaged heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – such as carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to circulate throughout your home.
For that reason, never use your heating if you think there's a crack in the heat exchanger, as doing so could make the whole household sick. Reach out to an HVAC professional immediately if you think your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that needs repair.
Four Symptoms of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace switches off: Cracks in the heat exchanger can cause your furnace to shut off.
- Strange Smells: If the air leaving your furnace has an intense chemical odor, it may be evidence gas is slipping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These byproducts, which will often smell like formaldehyde, are a significant warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm initiates or you feel health problems: If a cracked heat exchanger is emitting carbon monoxide in your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or family members may struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms 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 spot black sooty buildup near the exterior of your furnace, it’s an indication something could be seriously wrong.
What You Can Do if a Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you believe your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, hire a professional experienced in furnace installation Columbia as soon as possible so they can inspect your system and, if necessary, perform a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs will differ 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 often included in the warranty. You’ll want to confirm the warranty paperwork on your furnace, because while the warranty won't always cover the entire cost of repairs, it can significantly lower your bill.
How to Avoid a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the best ways to minimize the risk of problems in your furnace overall is through consistent furnace maintenance. Furnaces work the best when they operate efficiently. Contacting a certified professional to examine your furnace for worn-out parts, dirty filters and other likely problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at 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 aren't connected to the heat exchanger itself, the strain of drawing air through a clogged filter makes your entire furnace work more vigorously to complete its job. And the harder your furnace needs to run, the more wear and tear pieces like the heat exchanger will sustain.