
A furnace is usually a background player at home, helping keep you warm during the cold winter months. It frequently won't be 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 important to familiarize yourself with the signs of a cracked heat exchanger and what to do if you believe that might be the problem.
What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace?
A heat exchanger helps move heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that flows throughout the system. It generally handles this via coils or tubes that heat the air while functioning as a barrier to keep byproducts formed 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 damaged heat exchanger can be very dangerous. Cracks in the heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to flow throughout your home.
For that reason, don't ever run your heating if you suspect you're dealing with a cracked heat exchanger, as doing so could make the entire family ill. Reach out to an HVAC professional right away if you are worried your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that needs to be repaired.
Four Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger:
- Furnace turns off: A crack in your heat exchanger may cause your furnace to shut off.
- Unusual Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has a strong chemical scent, it may be an indicator that gasses are seeping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which will often smell like formaldehyde, are a common warning sign.
- Carbon monoxide alarm is triggered or you recognize poisoning symptoms: If a cracked heat exchanger is emitting carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm could go off or family members could experience signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Complications include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling sleepy. If your alarm goes off or you feel sick, get out of the home right away and then call for help.
- Soot: If you spot black sooty collecting around the exterior of your furnace, it’s another sign something may be seriously wrong.
What You Should Do if Your Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked
If you suspect your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, contact a professional experienced in furnace installation Tomball as soon as possible so they can take a look at your system and, if needed, perform a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs will vary depending on the situation, but estimates run in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $3,000.
Estimates aside, the good news is that heat exchangers are often included in the warranty. It's a good idea to review the warranty paperwork on your furnace, since while the warranty may not cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly shrink your bill.
How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home
One of the best ways to prevent a problem in your furnace overall is with consistent furnace maintenance. Furnaces work the best when they work efficiently. Contacting a trained professional to check your furnace for worn-out parts, dirty filters and other potential problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.
It’s also helpful to review your furnace filters every few months – it’s ideal 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 accomplish its job. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more strain components like the heat exchanger will experience.