Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

Your furnace puts a lot of effort into keeping your house warm during those cold winter nights, and the heat exchanger is a vital component at the center of your overall heating system. A heat exchanger is an element that converts fuel—typically natural gas—into heat, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the interior of your home. However, the repercussions could be hazardous if something goes wrong and a crack appears.

If you have a gas furnace in your home, knowing the signs that could indicate you have a cracked furnace heat exchanger is imperative to ensure, you can call a professional HVAC company for repairs. Join 669-Heat as we delve into this topic in more detail below.

Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

As we mentioned, it’s crucial that homeowners recognize the signs of a broken heat exchanger so that they may contact an HVAC technician right away for a repair. Early detection and swift repairs help protect your health and safety as well as prevent additional harm to your overall heating system. Here’s a closer look at a few red flags you should watch out for in and around your house:

· Abnormal flame: Examine the furnace’s burner flame. There might be a problem with the heat exchanger if it looks to be flickering too much or burns yellow rather than blue.
· Impairment that is obvious: Check the heat exchanger for any evident deterioration, rusting, or fractures.
· Carbon monoxide alerts: It is essential that your home be equipped with a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. In the event that your carbon monoxide levels rise or your alarm goes off, you should leave your house right away, call 911, and notify your local gas provider.
· Soot and/or discoloration: Look for soot or black flecks in the vicinity of the furnace; these could indicate a lack of combustion, which is frequently associated with a broken heat exchanger.
· Strange furnace odours: If you detect an odd odour coming from your heating system, mainly if it smells formaldehyde-like.
· Symptoms of illness: If you have persistent dizziness, nausea, headaches, or flu-like symptoms, you or someone in your household may have been subjected to carbon monoxide as a result of a broken heat exchanger and need emergency medical attention.
· Increased monthly utility costs: Your furnace may need to work longer and consume more significant amounts of energy due to lower efficiency caused by a faulty heat exchanger, which can increase your utility rates.

In the event that you encounter any of the above signs or suspect a heat exchanger issue with your furnace, it is imperative that you immediately switch off the heating system and contact an accredited HVAC company in your neighbourhood for a thorough evaluation and any required repairs.

How can I prevent a cracked heat exchanger?

It is essential to get your furnace examined by a qualified technician on an ongoing basis for several different reasons. Let’s investigate this more closely below:

· Guaranteed safety: Your home’s heating system’s safety is its top priority. Technicians examine for two potential hazards: gas leaks and carbon monoxide emissions. Both could be caused by a shattered heat exchanger. In the end, competent care of these issues and early discovery are critical to your family’s health and safety.
· Proactive maintenance: Regular inspections can assist in the efficient implementation of preventative upkeep measures. In order to prevent excessive load on the heat exchanger along with additional furnace parts, technicians might clean, grease, and calibrate parts.
· Timely diagnosis: Skilled HVAC professionals are able to see potential issues before they worsen. During annual service appointments, technicians are able to identify early indicators of wear, deterioration, or failures, especially with the heat exchanger.
· Warranty adherence: Certain furnace warranties call for regular professional maintenance in order to keep them valid. By having your furnace maintained in accordance with your warranty, you can prevent yourself from paying for any furnace repairs or replacements out of your own pocket before the warranty expires.
· Extending the life of equipment: Regular diagnostics and maintenance can extend the life of your furnace. By addressing wear and tear early on, technicians can help your heating system last longer and spare you the headache of needing an early replacement.
· Enhancing efficiency: When a furnace is maintained correctly, it operates more efficiently. Experts can assess the overall performance of your heating system to ensure that it works as cost-effectively as possible, saving you money on gas and utility costs.

Can you replace just the heat exchanger in a furnace?

The potential of replacing just the heat exchanger in a furnace depends on elements like the level of damage, the furnace’s condition, and the kind of heat exchanger. In cases when the damage is contained, and the furnace is not too old, replacing the heat exchanger could be an achievable option. Your decision-making process should heavily consider a number of factors, including safety considerations, your budget, and more.

Therefore, if you’re dealing with a heat exchanger problem in your home, we recommend reaching out to the team from 66-Heat to schedule a repair appointment with a certified technician. They’ll be able to inspect your heating system and help you decide what course of action is best suited to your situation and budget.

Cracked heat exchanger? Book a Professional Repair Today!

If you suspect the heat exchanger in your furnace is either broken or malfunctioning, the best thing you can do is reach out to 669-Heat as soon as possible to schedule a professional repair appointment.

Our technicians are available for repair and maintenance services 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, at no extra charge. We are also able to accommodate same-day repairs in emergency cases.

669-Heat proudly operates throughout Sudbury, Onaping Falls, Whitefish, Noelville, Cartier, Britt, Val Therese, Wanup, Field, Monetville, St Charles, French River, Alban, and the surrounding communities.

Book your repair directly by giving us a call or using our online booking form.