Your furnace works hard to keep your home warm during the brutal winter months. However, there may be a hidden threat that could compromise not only your comfort but also your safety – a cracked heat exchanger. This small part plays a large role in the warmth of your home, making repairs essential to remain comfortable all winter long.
At Genuine Comfort, we understand the risks associated with ignoring the signs of a cracked heat exchanger. From health and safety concerns for your family to costly repairs if ignored, a cracked heat exchanger is a major problem. If you believe your heat exchanger may be cracked and you want to understand how this affects your furnace, keep reading.
Understanding Your Heat Exchanger
To understand why it is so detrimental to your furnace to run it with a cracked heat exchanger, you should first understand the role your heat exchanger plays in your furnace. The heat exchanger plays an important role in transferring heat generated by the combustion process into the air in your home. It consists of a series of tubes or coils, and when combustion gases pass over them, heat is transferred into the air.
The Dangers of Cracked Heat Exchangers
A cracked heat exchanger poses a serious risk to both your furnace’s efficiency and the safety of you and your loved ones. The primary concern with a cracked heat exchanger is the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. During proper heating, the CO is separated from the air in a combustion chamber and is then directed out of your home through an exhaust vent.
When your heat exchanger is compromised, there is a possibility that this CO – a colorless, odorless gas – can seep into the air circulating through your home. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic and can become lethal in high concentrations or prolonged exposure events. That is why it is so important to address any issues with your heat exchanger as quickly as possible.
Will Your Furnace Still Run with a Cracked Heat Exchanger
While a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger may still run as expected, it is not advisable to continue running it under such conditions. The risks associated with a compromised heat exchanger far outweigh the short-term benefits of a functioning furnace. Some of the concerns include:
Safety Concerns
As we mentioned earlier, a cracked heat exchange can lead to a potential carbon monoxide leak in your home. This leak poses a severe threat to the health and safety of everyone in your home. Even at low levels, carbon monoxide can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and, in much more severe cases, brain damage and death. That is why it is best to avoid running your furnace until this part can be adequately repaired.
Reduced Efficiency
With a cracked heat exchanger, you may notice a loss of efficiency in your furnace. The compromised part cannot properly transfer heat, causing your furnace to work harder to maintain your desired temperature. As it works harder to keep your home warm, you may notice an increase in your energy consumption and much higher utility bills than normal.
Further Damage
Ignoring your cracked heat exchanger may lead to additional damage to other parts of your furnace. Increased stress on your system may cause failures in other essential parts. As you continue to run your furnace, the cost of necessary repairs will only continue to increase. If you notice problems with your heat exchanger, save yourself the trouble and schedule repairs.
Signs of a Damaged Heat Exchanger
It may be difficult to determine if your heat exchanger is damaged because the component is not visible from the outside of your furnace. To see it, you would have to take apart the device. However, there are still several signs you can look out for that may indicate you have a cracked heat exchanger. These signs include:
- Soot accumulation on or around your furnace
- Unusual, yellow, flickering flames from the furnace
- Increased carbon monoxide levels in your home
- Fluctuating, inconsistent heat levels
- Unexplained health symptoms
While it may be difficult to identify whether the cause of these problems is a cracked heat exchanger, it is always best to call a professional for an inspection anyway. Whether the problem is a cracked heat exchanger or something else, an HVAC professional can identify problems within your furnace. They can restore it to proper function much quicker than if you try to identify the problem on your own.
Additionally, it is crucial that your home has properly functioning carbon monoxide detectors to keep you and your loved ones safe. The batteries in your device should be replaced yearly to ensure it is working properly. It is also important to note that carbon monoxide detectors have a 5- to 7-year lifespan. If your detector is older than that or you aren’t sure how old it is, it is best to replace it with a new detector.
The Importance of Professional Inspection
If you believe you have a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace, it is essential that you shut off the device immediately. From there, you should call your trusted HVAC professional. DIY repairs are not recommended due to the complexity of the system and the potential to exacerbate the problem.
A qualified HVAC professional can conduct a thorough inspection of the device, determine the extent of the damage to your heat exchanger, and provide guidance on whether repairs or complete replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace is your best option. Investing in professional services ensures the safety and well-being of your loved ones.
Repairs You Can Trust
A cracked heat exchanger is not something to be taken lightly. Ignoring this problem only heightens the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and the potential for increased repair bills. It is crucial that you call your trusted HVAC professional as soon as possible to address the issue promptly. If you’re looking for an HVAC professional for your Northern Utah home, our team at Genuine Comfort is here to help.
With years of experience making repairs to HVAC systems across the greater Ogden-Clearfield area and beyond, we’re confident that we can help you with a cracked heat exchanger and any other problems you’re experiencing with your furnace. In addition to our furnace repairs, we offer furnace maintenance to help keep your device functioning as well as possible. If you have a cracked heat exchanger and you require furnace repairs, don’t hesitate to contact our team today for help.
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