Dec 02, 2015 proper diagnosis of a failed or cracked heat exchanger. Some holes or small openings may have been there for years. If it cracks after the warranty is up, usually at least 20 years, consider replacing the entire furnace. Many companies, upon finding a cracked heat exchanger, will shut your furnace down so you cannot run it. Be on the watch for symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger like. We have talked a lot about furnace failures, repairs, and replacement in our blog and we want to go more in depth about furnace heat exchanger design, how they work, and why they fail. It is usually an indicator of more trouble in the future, and should not be taken lightly. For this reason, i want to share with you some of the common symptoms and causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace. Unless you are one of the top 3% of people who have all the money, replacing the furnace is going to hurt the pocket book if you have not planed for it, but it has to be done. If you find that your furnace heat exchanger has trouble getting enough heat and power, then you may find that it has developed a crack or hole. Heat safety is paramount so have your furnaces inspected immediately for a cracked heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger is a metal container inside the furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. Diagnosis of a heat exchanger crack typically starts with a noheat service call. Weve met with lots of homeowners looking for a second opinion about a supposedly cracked heat exchanger. Corrosion because of reaction between the combustion gas and the metal often because of improper venting can also weaken the metal to the point where cracks. Many hvac contractors find cracked heat exchangers using visual analysis and use the results to recommend furnace replacement. When the furnace is in an attic or crawlspace, very few contractors will agree to replace the heat exchanger. But the decision to repair or replace a heating unit can be difficult. If it is a small hole or crack, then it is a minor issue that needs to be corrected generally by replacing the furnace or heat exchanger. By reuben saltzman in carbon monoxide alarms, cracked heat exchanger, hvac, new on december 2, 2014. The combustible gas will become hotter as it accumulates in the exchanger. What are the causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a gas. Furnace crack heat exchanger, cracked firebox, furnace repair.
Dec 30, 2019 in most cases, the flue gases in your furnace will not contain carbon monoxideits not a typical byproduct of gas combustion in the furnace. Dec 19, 2019 furnace efficiency highefficiency furnaces are more complex and more expensive than 80% furnaces. Heres why your furnace heat exchanger cracked in carbon monoxide testing, central heating and air conditioning, furnace repair. The most common reason a heat exchanger cracks is normal wear and tear. The extra air will cause the oxygen reading to change notably. When a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, can it be. Its basically what allows a furnace to heat up the air that travels through the ventilation system. Avoid these 4 common furnace repair scams oconomowoc boiler.
Mar 11, 20 as a homeowner, getting the news that your heat exchanger is cracked is a bit of a harsh blow. The heat exchanger is a key part of the furnace and is responsible for the actual heating of air. One of the best ways you can protect your home from the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger is. If a crack makes its way through the walls of your heat exchanger, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can leak into your homes air. A negative pressure from the fan can suck flue gases out of the heat exchanger at an accelerated rate. Press this onto the furnace heat exchanger, and allow it to dry. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason for requiring replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace. The heat exchanger is aptly named it collects air through the ventilation system and exchanges it to heat with the help of the furnace burners. In a home heater, the heat exchanger heats up the air that travels through the ventilation system.
Furnace location making the replacement on a furnace that is easy to access is difficult enough. If a heat exchanger becomes cracked, then your heating system will not perform as it should. As a homeowner, getting the news that your heat exchanger is cracked is a bit of a harsh blow. Natural gas or propane is being burned and the byproduct of that process is energy in the form of heat, along with water vapor h2o, carbon dioxide co2, carbon monoxide co, carbon or soot. Most newer models are equipped with special safety features that keep risks down. Other types of heat exchangers exist in the hvac world as well we. The gases will continue to seep into your homes air. And please remember never try to run a furnace when your heat exchanger is cracked. This article is going to go over what a heat exchanger is, why it cracks and what you can do about it if you have a home warranty.
Cracked heat exchanger deciding to repair or replace depending on the age of your furnace, a cracked heat exchange probably means you need a new system. Inside of your furnace or boiler there is actually a fire burning. This is because air is leaking through the crack in the heat exchanger into the combustion chamber. A cracked heat exchanger is not a problem that should be taken lightly. Furnace heat exchanger replacement costs 2020 costimatesfurnace. Home warranties and cracks in your furnaces heat exchanger.
This is dangerous, as one of the gases produced by the heat exchanger is carbon monoxide, a deadly. There are certain signs to look for to determine if the heat exchanger has been cracked. Proper diagnosis of a failed or cracked heat exchanger. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger. Simple furnace heat exchanger test hvac learning solutions. A furnace lasts between 15 and 20 years over that time, the metal on the heat. A cracked heat exchanger can not be repaired either the part or entire unit must be replaced. The unfortunate part of having a cracked heat exchanger is, well, there is usually no positive outcome for the homeowner. Broken and leaking heat exchangers are responsible for about 1,500 deaths per year in the united. One of the most common reasons a gas furnace can be taken out of service, is when the repair technician finds to a cracked heat exchanger. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training.
A correctly operating furnace has a clear, steady blue flame. Every cracked heat exchanger needs to be replaced, either by replacing the heat exchanger itself or by replacing the entire furnace. Cracked heat exchanger furnance repair in anderson township. The reaction between the combustion gas and metal over time may create. In an attempt to sell new furnaces, numerous heating contractors will lie about cracked heat exchangers. A heat exchanger acts as a collection station for combustible gas and allows the gas to make the air reach a boiling hot temperature. This article is about ways to determine if a gas furnace has a cracked heatexchanger. If we discover that a customers furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, we shut the furnace off at the electrical switch and gas. More commonly, the cause of a cracked heat exchanger is misapplication or poor maintenance of the furnace. Not only is furnace performance an issue, but heat exchanger malfunctions can pose serious health and fire risks. Through this crack, combustion fumes can escape from the exchanger, and can build up in the room. Combustible gas increases in temperature and collects in the heat exchanger, allowing it to increase the temperature of the air. Bobs answer to whether or not a cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous is unambiguous.
The cause of cracked heat exchangers avoid this common scam. Dec 28, 2016 a furnaces heat exchanger uses some type of fuelair mix to burn inside of it, creating heat and getting very hot. Jan, 2020 having a cracked heat exchanger can have a very adverse effect on the overall performance of your home heating equipment. If your repair technician just gave you the bad news that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, and you said, a cracked what. If the heat exchanger is cracked, byproducts of the combustion process that takes place within the. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason. The most likely cause for a crack in the heat exchanger is corrosion. Broken and leaking heat exchangers are responsible for about 1,500 deaths per year in the united states, and many more people are poisoned by exposure to toxic gasses that go unfiltered by defective heat exchangers.
A warning about cracked heat exchangers in gas furnace. Because the metal of the heat exchanger expands and then contracts as it heats and cools, the stress may eventually cause a crack to form on the exchanger. The danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger. Heres why your furnace heat exchanger cracked heating. Some people choose to live in denial of the seriousness of a cracked heat exchanger. Having a cracked heat exchanger can have a very adverse effect on the overall performance of your home heating equipment. The danger of cracked heat exchangers in gas furnaces. In most cases, the flue gases in your furnace will not contain carbon monoxideits not a typical byproduct of gas combustion in the furnace. According to becca virden, the public relations spokeswoman at centerpoint energy, we do our best for our customer by putting their safety and comfort first, safety being first.
Gas furnaces are the most common type of residential heating system across the country, especially in locations with cold. The air passes over absorbing heat off the surface conditioning it to warm air. If you get a cracked heat exchanger diagnosis learn how not to get. It is important that the heat exchanger is taken care of as hazards can build from a faulty exchanger. Cracked heat exchanger furnance repair in anderson. If there is a crack in the furnaces heat exchanger, there will be some signs and symptoms that are normally evident concerning the furnace. Furnace heatexchanger crack signs your furnace has one. Heat exchanger cracks are a serious furnace repair issue. Have you heard this one recently, you have a cracked heat exchanger and your furnace has to be replaced, today. If your home is like the majority, the answer is a natural gas furnace. Hvac courses understanding your heat exchanger the heat. This video is about the your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be replaced scam. A cracked heat exchanger is the most common reason carbon monoxide or toxic gasses may escape into homes using a gas furnace. In a normal gas furnace, the flame will usually appear blue.
There is one gas furnace problem we want to draw your attention to, because its the most common reason for a furnace allowing toxic gasses into a home. A heat exchanger is made of thin metal, and as it heats up from the combustion of the furnace, it transfers the heat to the air being distributed through the house by the blower 3. Your blower motor aka your fan then blows air over this heat exchanger. Heat exchangers are built to last 10 to 20 years, but that period could be shorter if an hvac system is used more often than the norm. What type of heating system do you use to warm up your house during a tough chicagoland winter. The heat exchanger on a furnace is the section that keeps the combustion chamber and the breathing air separate 3.
If your heat exchanger is cracked, then replace your furnace asap. You know its serious and you know you need to do something about it. When the flame is blue, it means your heating system is functioning normally. The heat exchanger in your furnace heats air traveling from one end to the other. If you have an iron heat exchanger, then you need to find an iron repair liquid, which uses chemical reactions to seal holes in iron. The your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be. The problem with finding a crack in a furnace heat exchanger is that you can see very little of the heat exchanger without disassembling the furnace. Your gas furnace is designed for safety with safety switches and shut offs. Any verifiable crack requires replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace. Very few, if any, furnaces with a typical small crack or hole in the heat exchanger. Hvac businesses in minnesota lock out furnaces when cracked heat exchangers are found. Its the most common cause of excess carbon monoxide in a home. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the oxygen reading will change a lot when the blower turns on.
The furnace heat exchanger is the one of the main components inside the gas furnace and its used to transfer the heat from the. Aug 22, 2019 a cracked heat exchanger is the most common reason carbon monoxide or toxic gasses may escape into homes using a gas furnace. Dec 18, 2018 the gases will continue to seep into your homes air. This one takes apart the ruudrheem heat exchanger to inspect the cracks. Signs the heat exchanger in your home furnace is cracked. If we discover that a customers furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, we shut the furnace off at the electrical switch and gas valve and tag the appliance for repair. Were you recently told that your furnace heat exchanger is cracked and needs to be replaced.
There are certain signs to look for to determine if the heat exchanger has been. If the heat exchanger is cracked, byproducts of the combustion process that takes place within the component can spill out. For carbon monoxide to leak from a cracked heat exchanger, two things need to be happening. Cracked heat exchanger issues will affect how your heating system performs. Dec 23, 2019 in a home heater, the heat exchanger heats up the air that travels through the ventilation system. Oct 18, 2017 not only is furnace performance an issue, but heat exchanger malfunctions can pose serious health and fire risks. Dangerous cracked heat exchangers in furnaces carbon monoxide detectors and cracked heat exchangers. If your heat exchanger has cracks, these cracks cause your furnace to perform inefficiently. Should i replace my heat exchanger or buy a new furnace. The heat exchanger is cracked or otherwise has an air leak. Negative and positive pressure can be created on the heat exchanger weather the fan is upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger. A well qualified hvac technician will look for a furnace cracked heat exchanger during a maintenance check.
A damaged heat exchanger in a gas furnace is potentially dangerous to a homes occupants and should not be ignored. The reason a crack in a heat exchanger is such a cause for concernand reason to think about replacing a furnaceis because it creates a major health hazard. Cracked heat exchanger deciding to repair or replace. How to tell if furnace heat exchanger is cracked 1. In the video above the furnace techs says the oxygen reading could rise as high as.
Im not going to say that every cracked heat exchanger is a life or death. Jan, 2020 the heat exchanger in your furnace heats air traveling from one end to the other. Danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger servicemax. Can you repair a cracked heat exchanger on a gas furnace. Not having proper maintenance performed by a skilled professional will also take years off the life of a heat exchanger. A warning to you cracked heat exchangers dont get scammed.
Hvac courses understanding your heat exchanger the. Diagnosis of a heat exchanger crack typically starts with a no heat service call. If our team finds a cracked heat exchanger, they cannot legally allow the heating system to continue running because of the danger and the. Its only going to get worse, not betterthe only question is when. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is usually an exception, because of the cost of the repair. This trips a safety switch and shuts down the furnace. Aug 31, 2015 this video is about the your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be replaced scam. Pour a little bit of the chemical on the hole, and leave it to dry until it seals around the exchanger. These two different words are nomenclature meaning the thin layer of metal that separates the good air that you breathe and the bad air comes from burning natural gas in a forced air heater or burning propane in a forced air heater. Typically, a cracked heat exchanger is recognized when heat is no longer vented into the home, or the homes carbon monoxide detectors go off.