Will Your Furnace Run With A Cracked Heat Exchanger?

Will Your Furnace Run With A Cracked Heat Exchanger?

As a homeowner, you have many responsibilities and things to take care of. However, homeowners also have tools available to help them keep their homes in order, including a furnace to keep them warm. However, when there is a problem with the furnace, it is hard for the home to feel comfortable and for the home to run properly. A question that we commonly get here at Genuine Comfort is whether a furnace will run with a cracked heat exchanger. Continue reading to learn more about your furnace, your furnace’s heat exchanger, and what you should do when a part of your furnace breaks.

The answer to the question of whether a furnace will run with a cracked heat exchanger is yes. However, this answer is not the end of the story. Although a furnace will continue to heat your home even with a cracked heat exchanger, it is not safe to continue using your furnace. Using a cracked heat exchanger allows for certain toxic gases to escape from the furnace including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide. 

What Is A Heat Exchanger?

In a furnace, the part that heats up the air is the heat exchanger. Using metal coils, the heat exchanger absorbs and transfers heat. After your furnace’s burners heat up the metal coils of the heat exchanger, the exchanger will transfer that heat to the air of your home which is delivered to different rooms of your house using air ducts.

What Causes Heat Exchangers To Crack?

The primary culprit of broken heat exchangers is overheating of the furnace. When the furnace is constantly running, the airflow to the furnace becomes an issue. Over time, the heat exchanger will get too hot and will begin to expand and contract. This can cause cracks in weaker parts of the exchanger.

What To Do If Your Furnace Has A Cracked Heat Exchanger

Even if there is only a hairline crack in your heat exchanger, it is important to get it replaced immediately. As previously mentioned, a crack in a heat exchanger can lead to the release of harmful gases that could lead to illness or even death in your home. So, we suggest contacting professional HVAC services to get your broken heat exchanger removed right away. However, you may also consider getting second opinions when it comes to getting your heat exchanger checked out when you are unsure whether it has been damaged or not.

Do You Need A Furnace Repair?

If you are in need of a furnace repair, we at Genuine Comfort are here to help. We offer premium furnace repair, replacement, and maintenance options that aim to improve your home’s comfort and utility. Our technicians are talented and experienced, meaning that they will be able to help solve your HVAC issues, no matter where they stem from. We are passionate about educating our clientele about their HVAC systems. Continue following along with our biweekly blogs, check out our educational videos, or reach out to us to learn more about your furnace today. For repair options and services, feel free to contact us today.