Your Home’s Heating System: The Danger Of A Cracked Heat Exchanger
Boilers and furnaces have heat exchangers, a vital component in your home’s heating system. Learn about the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger.
What is a Heat Exchanger?
The heat exchanger is a key part of your furnace, responsible for heating the air that circulates throughout your home. It acts as a barrier, separating the hot combustion chamber from the air stream. Ideally, the heat exchanger transfers heat safely while venting harmful gases outside.
A boiler heat exchanger, in essence, is like a coiled up piece of pipe. The boiler water is pumped through this coiled pipe, hot flue gasses from the burner pass over the surface of the pipe and heat the water as it passes through.
Why is a Crack in the Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Cracks in the heat exchanger can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to leak into your home instead of entirely in the flue exhaust pipe. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be fatal. For this reason it is a must for you to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
How to Know if Your Heat Exchanger is Cracked
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to identify gcracks in a heat exchanger on your own. A professional HVAC technician can inspect your furnace using specialized tools, including video inspection systems, to determine the condition of the heat exchanger.
Signs Of A Cracked Heat Exchanger
Here are possible signs that you have a problem in the first place. If you experience any of these signs we recommend turning off furnace and calling PDM for help.
- Your Furnace Stops Producing Hot Air
- You See Cracks And Corrosion On The Outside Of Your Furnace
- The Flame On Your Furnace Changes Color
- Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Goes Off
- You Hear Strange Noises Coming From Your Furnace
- Your Family Suddenly Develops Health Issues
- You Notice Soot Building Up Inside Your Furnace
- There Is An Unpleasant Odors Like Rotten Eggs
- Standing Water Around Your Furnace
- Your Heat Exchanger Is Clogged With Dust And Debris
Repairing a Cracked Heat Exchanger
There’s no easy fix for a cracked heat exchanger. In most cases, the only solution is to replace the heat exchanger itself, or the entire furnace. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, replacing the entire furnace can be more cost-effective, considering the benefits of a new warranty, improved energy efficiency, and better overall comfort.
Schedule a Furnace Inspection
For safe and efficient heating, it’s crucial to have your furnace regularly inspected, including the heat exchanger. The content recommends scheduling a complete furnace check-up with a qualified HVAC technician. Learn more about boiler and furnace heating from the US Dept of Energy.
