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Why A Cracked Heat Exchanger Is Worrisome

13 March 2023

A close up of a gas burner with flames coming out of it.

Even when your furnace has received annual maintenance, it can still develop a need for expert repairs. Tune-ups can prevent a majority of repairs, just not all of them.

It makes sense that you’d want to address any furnace repair in Hayden, ID quickly, no matter what they are. This applies to repairs even at the end of the heating season. There are some repairs that are a bit more problematic. That’s what we’ll focus on today.

A cracked heat exchanger in your furnace can prove to be a problem for both your comfort and your safety. Read on to learn more and schedule your repair with a professional today.

The Problem With a Cracked Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is a component in a gas-powered furnace that holds combustion gas and allows the air to be warmed. The issue with a crack is that it allows those combustion gases, which can include toxic carbon monoxide, to escape the heat exchanger and into the air.

This is a problem for two reasons

Firstly, as you can likely imagine, exposure to carbon monoxide is extremely unhealthy. This can lead to CO poisoning which may include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and if exposed enough, coma or death. While a cracked heat exchanger will start out small, the sooner you address it, the better, as you’ll be less likely to encounter this kind of risk to your well-being.

Secondly, if the gas is escaping your heat exchanger, it cannot properly warm up the air that is blown into your home. This can lead to increased energy and fuel usage, increasing your energy bills even as your comfort level decreases.

The Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Do you suspect that you have a cracked heat exchanger? If so, you want to address it before the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure start to show up. Watch out for earlier warning signs of this issue such as:

Hissing noises: As gas escapes the heat exchanger it may cause a hissing noise.
Vibrating sounds: As the heat exchanger expands and the crack opens up, you may hear the sound of the cracked metal vibrating as the gas passes through it.
Reduced heating: A big red flag for any furnace issue will be when the furnace is unable to heat the home well.
Bad smells: Natural gas is infused with a chemical that creates a smell of sulfur or rotten eggs when it’s in the air.

What You Want Your Heat Exchanger To Do

Let’s work together to get your furnace working right again. If you notice any warning signs that you may have a cracked heat exchanger, reach out to us. We can assess your system and address the crack. This can get your heater back into prime operating condition, with the heat exchanger holding all combustion gases in order to safely heat the air before those gases are vented outside where they belong.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Schedule your furnace repair today.

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