
A furnace is usually a background player in your home, ensuring you're warm across the cold winter months. It regularly doesn’t get noticed until a malfunction appears.
One cause may be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can potentially be hazardous, so it’s worthwhile to learn the symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger and what you should do if you suspect that is 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 moves through the system. It generally does this through coils or tubes that warm the air while functioning as a barrier to keep byproducts created in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from escaping out into your home.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
Because of its important role, it shouldn't come as a surprise that a cracked heat exchanger can pose a risk. Cracks in the heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – such as carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to be distributed through your home.
For this reason, do NOT run your heater if you think there's a crack in the heat exchanger, as this could make your entire household ill. Contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible if you believe your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that should be repaired.
Four Symptoms of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace turns off: Cracks in the heat exchanger could cause your furnace to turn off.
- Unusual Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has a powerful chemical scent, it could be an indicator that gas is slipping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These byproducts, which can smell like formaldehyde, are a significant warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm is triggered or you feel symptoms of poisoning: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide inside your home, your carbon monoxide alarm could go off or household members might struggle with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Complications include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling tired. If an alarm goes off or you feel sick, leave the home right away and then call for help.
- Soot: If you see black sooty buildup near the exterior of your furnace, it’s more evidence something might be seriously wrong.
What to Do if the Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you believe your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, hire a pro well versed in furnace installation Corpus Christi as soon as possible so they can take a look at your system and, if required, handle a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs often vary 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 often included in the warranty. You’ll want to confirm the warranty paperwork on your furnace, as while the warranty might not cover the entire cost of repairs, it still may significantly shrink your bill.
How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the easiest ways to prevent a problem in your furnace overall is through routine furnace maintenance. Furnaces work the best when they run efficiently. Calling a certified professional to examine your furnace for worn-out parts, clogged filters and other potential problems can keep you from getting a big bill later on.
It’s also helpful to take a look at your furnace filters every few months – it’s recommended some filters be swapped out every 90 days or sooner if they are dirty or grimy. While the filters aren't a part of the heat exchanger itself, the strain of pulling air through a clogged filter makes your entire furnace work harder to complete its job. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more deterioration parts like the heat exchanger will experience.