First, carbon monoxide could leak out of the furnace and into the home. Why is it important to get professional help to resolve a heat exchanger crack issue. The danger of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace bob. Beware of an unethical technician who finds a crack with a camera on a furnace that seems to be running just fine. I show how a furnace reacts when there is a crack in the heat exchanger. To avoid a cracked heat exchanger and other furnace problems, your home heating load needs to be calculated carefully. If someone informs you that your heat exchanger is cracked, call the tedder company, and one of our specially trained technicians will immediately assess your furnaces situation. Call us today, your local hvac contractor toronto gta. If youre the owner of a furnace, youll find it helpful to be. A heat exchanger is a key component to heating the air that is distributed throughout the home. Even though your furnace may look and seem fine, dangerous gases could leak into your home and seriously affect, even kill, your family members. A cracked heat exchanger is the most common reason carbon monoxide or toxic gasses may escape into homes using a gas furnace.
The furnace heat exchanger is the one of the main components inside the gas furnace and its used to transfer the heat from the gas burner to the warm air thats blown into your home. Jan 09, 2017 be good to your heat exchanger inside a heat exchanger is fire, soot, and carbon monoxideall substances that can escape if it cracks. Were you recently told that your furnace heat exchanger is cracked and needs to be replaced. Each heating season we hear horror stories of unsafe situations caused by failing furnaces and cracked heat exchangers. Dec 12, 2018 a cracked heat exchanger is a furnace problem homeowners should fix right away, as neglecting it could cause major issues for your unit and could pose a safety hazard. For carbon monoxide to leak from a cracked heat exchanger, two things need to be happening. Gas furnaces are not automatically dangerous devices. With extended use, it can develop tiny cracks that can leak. The heat exchanger is cracked or otherwise has an air leak. Given that gas is so widely available, its very likely this heating system is gaspowered. Dangerous cracked heat exchangers in furnaces carbon monoxide detectors and cracked heat exchangers.
A gas furnaces heat exchanger is the furnace component that actually heats the air. The heat exchanger contains the gas combustion chamber. The main reason for this is due to the fact that furnaces are located inside the. 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. The most toxic of these exhaust fumes is carbon monoxide, which can cause severe health problems. The flame rollout and ghosting in the burner indicates a dangerous crack or hole in that chamber. If your heat exchanger is cracked, it will not get better. It can create a very dangerous, even deadly situation. Dec 02, 2014 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. The american gas association recommends that if the technician discovers a crack, that you must replace the heater exchanger. In order for your furnace to transfer heat to the air, it requires a heat exchanger, which is a metal chamber that resembles a clam shell.
Dangers of a cracked heat exchanger fahrhall home comfort. Combustion gases leaking from a cracked heat exchanger can cause frequent headaches as well as flulike symptoms. 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. A cracked heat exchanger also presents potential physical harm to your family. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack. Not only is it something that most often happens to aging furnaces that are just about at the end of their lifespan anyway, a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous.
Although unimpressive looking to untrained eyes, heat exchangers perform a vital part of the cycle of bringing you warm air from your furnace. The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger help heating. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is usually an exception, because of the cost of the repair. Thanks for watching guy browns youtube channel was. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason. While not every damaged heat exchanger is dangerous, its best not to risk it. Heat safety is paramount so have your furnaces inspected immediately for a cracked heat exchanger. A broken or cracked heat exchanger could be releasing exhaust gas into the air that you and your family are breathing. Air that is exposed directly to the burner contains carbon monoxide and other hazardous gasses, so it should be vented out of your home. If you have a cracked heat exchanger, dont ignore it. 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. And what did it mean if the camera revealed a crack. 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.
Because it allows the exhaust fumes inside the exchanger to leak into the air. 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 heat exchanger is a set of coils inside the furnace that is responsible for heating the air in your home. Apr 18, 2018 if your home has an older furnace1520 years old or morethen its extremely important for you to be aware of the potential danger posed by an old heat exchanger. 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. Our recommendation on finding a crack in a heat exchanger will always be to replace the heat exchanger or the furnace it is in because your familys health and safety is far too important to make guesses and assumptions about how dangerous this crack may or may not be. Its only going to get worse, not betterthe only question is when. Dangers of a cracked heat exchanger the severn group. The function of a heat exchanger is in the name itself. A dangerous cracked heat exchangers in a furnace can make you physically ill. However, when your heat exchanger cracks, the contaminated air can pass through the crack and into your homes air supply, causing the chemical odors that youve been noticing.
The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace red. As we alluded to above, this is something that is checked during your annual maintenance appointment, and you probably dont need to worry about too much with a newly installed furnace so long as that installation was. You can just have the heat exchanger replaced, but it is an expensive repair, and a new furnace is often the smarter investment. A damaged heat exchanger in a gas furnace is potentially dangerous to a homes occupants and should not be ignored. Yes, a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace is dangerous. Mar 17, 2017 the flame rollout caused by a crack in the heat exchanger.
Furnace is not safe combustion analysis is the heat exchanger cracked. The dangers of cracked heat exchangers comfort first. Always have co detectors in your home if you use natural gas. Most ottawa hvac technicians will shut your furnace down, on the spot, with no negotiation whatsoever. When the temperature falls all we have to do is go to the thermostat and turn the heat on. Since the metal of the heat exchanger expands and contracts as it heats and cools down, the stress can eventually cause a crack to form on the exchanger. If you do not receive routine maintenance checks on your furnace, your home could be at risk of cracks forming in the heat exchanger. When a gas furnace heat exchanger fails, not only is it dangerous and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, the heat exchanger replacement cost is usually on the high side of typical furnace repair costs. Since cracked heat exchanger symptoms are common, and many homeowners will eventually have to have heat exchanger crack repair, this is a good topic on which to educate yourself.
The dangers associated with a cracked heat exchanger inside the cabinet of your gaspowered furnace is a group a metal, clamshellshaped objects called heat exchangers. When a heat exchanger becomes damaged and the combustion fumes and gases mix with the clean air, serious consequences can result. Can you repair a cracked heat exchanger on a gas furnace. These dangerous gasses can seriously affect those who are exposed to them. In a furnace, the heat exchanger filters out and vents the gases from the flame of the furnace. The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger design comfort. Mar 11, 20 more commonly, the cause of a cracked heat exchanger is misapplication or poor maintenance of the furnace. Those byproducts include carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Ultimately, through your scheduled maintenance plan your fall service has been completed or is about to. Is the crack deep enough to leach carbon monoxide co. A cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to interfere with the flame causing it to flutter or even roll out. A cracked heat exchanger is a furnace problem homeowners should fix right away, as neglecting it could cause major issues for your unit and could pose a safety hazard. This process, ideally, uses combustion gas to heat the air without the gas ever coming into contact with that.
This way, combustion gasses heat the air without the gas ever coming into contact with it. This is because of heat exchanger design and pressure. However, you also have a volatile set up that could cause you serious problems if youre not careful. This is something we want to clear up right away so you wont feel panic just because. Over time, this could contaminate the air in your home and be a deadly combination.
Every time that your heat exchanger heats up, the metal is going to expand. Jan 10, 2018 they can come inspect your furnace and determine if you do indeed have a cracked heat exchanger. In fact, you could pour water into a cooled, cracked heat exchanger and probably not even see a drop of water come out of it. Rusting of the heat exchanger can lead to holes or cracks that allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. 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 form. Cracked heat exchangers can cause death heating and air.
The furnace usually sends the fumes out a flue, but a crack can allow some to seep out. Hvac businesses in minnesota lock out furnaces when cracked heat. The heat exchanger is an important and potentially dangerous component to your heating system. Its basically what allows a furnace to heat up the air that travels through the ventilation system. Perhaps youve heard of the potential danger of a cracked heat exchanger. 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. Any verifiable crack requires replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace. Combustion pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, can cause eye and nose irritation, disorientation, sleepiness and nausea. Inside the cabinet of your gaspowered furnace is a group a metal, clamshellshaped objects called heat exchangers. I open up the plenum and show the crack from the top. The heat exchanger keeps the air released back into your home separate from the exhaust of producing that heat. The danger of cracked heat exchangers in gas furnaces. The flame rollout caused by a crack in the heat exchanger. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger.
A major safety concern in a gas furnace comes from a cracked heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is compromised by a crack or rust, flue gases and carbon monoxide could leak into the home, resulting in illness and possibly death of the occupants. Bobs answer to whether or not a cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous is unambiguous. The heat exchanger on a furnace is the section that keeps the combustion chamber and the breathing air separate 3. Younger furnaces may develop cracked heat exchangers when the air flow to the furnace is limited. When a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, can it be. Dont take a chance with your familys health and safety. A warning to you cracked heat exchangers dont get scammed. If a crack develops in your heat exchanger, a disproportionate amount of gas and air may mix and result in a furnace fire. The first is the potential for the furnace to catch fire and potentially spread to other parts in the home. As air is circulated through the hvac system, it passes over the heat exchanger and absorbs thermal.
Is a cracked heat exchanger dangerous in clarksville. Jan 21, 2020 heat exchangers in a furnace are under constant pressure throughout years of use. 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. Should i replace my heat exchanger or buy a new furnace. Residential 80% furnaces made in the last 30 years with airconditioning coils on the discharge outlet of the furnace do not allow carbon monoxide to enter the indoor air stream. Rust on a heat exchanger can be a result of the furnace sitting idle, but it can also develop if the furnace is shortcyclingthat is, not running long enough each time it comes on.
A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace is a serious safety issue. The reason a crack in a heat exchanger is such a cause for concernand reason to think about replacing a furnace is because it creates a major health hazard. The danger of a cracked heat exchanger comfort flow heating. Any furnace from any brand made installed by any company will eventually develop a crack in the heat exchanger. Whats a heat exchanger and why is it dangerous when cracked. The dangers associat ed with a cr acked heat exchanger inside the cabinet of your gaspowered furnace is a group a metal, clamshellshaped objects called heat exchangers. If your furnace is older than 10 or 12 years, it is a good time for a replacement. Furnace heat exchanger cracked determined unsafe youtube. Broken heat exchanger pacific coast heating and air.
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. Depending on the furnace design, it might only be possible to examine 10% of the entire heat exchanger. Call ac masters and we will come and inspect your furnace and repair or replace the heat exchanger or furnace. Its a metal container that traps the combustion gas from the burners. I wrote a blog post many years ago discussing that topic, and the gist of my blog post was the same as whats stated on the comyths web site. A cracked heat exchanger is very dangerous for two major reasons. Most newer models are equipped with special safety features that keep risks down. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that causes flulike. 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. If the furnace needs heat exchanger crack repair, you will be able to see the problem. You have a better change of getting out of a speeding ticket than trying to convince most ottawa hvac technicians to let you run your furnace with a cracked heat exchanger, even if the crack is the smallest of cracks. It is the device that separates the gases from your breathing air. There are two major dangers with having a broken heat exchanger.
Dec 02, 2015 a cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to interfere with the flame causing it to flutter or even roll out. There are some gas furnaces with cracked heat exchangers that do not leak carbon monoxide into the home. Some holes or small openings may have been there for years. 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 furnace depends on the heat exchanger to contain these dangerous fumes and safety conduct them to the chimneyoutside while transferring the valuable heat into the home. Cracks in the heat exchanger or fire box is no laughing matter. Dangerous cracked heat exchanger in furnace youtube. Stop running your furnace immediately if you have symptoms from leaking gases or suspect your heat exchanger might be cracked.
Lastly, dangerous cracked heat exchangers in furnaces means to urge you get your furnace checked on an annual basis. The danger of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace if we had to make a wager on the type of heater you use to warm up your house during our chilly new york winters, wed always bet on a natural gas furnace. Unfortunately, since carbon monoxide is also a natural byproduct of combustion, it has the potential to leak out of a cracked heat exchanger. A cracked heat exchanger is dangerous when youre dealing with a gaspowered furnace in your home, you have a powerful tool for staying comfortable in any weather. All too often, furnaces are grossly oversized or used incorrectly which causes the heat exchanger to fail prematurely. That means heat cant get out from your furnace to warm your home, and the furnace will overwork itself as the temperature on the thermostat remains cold, stressing the metal in the heat exchanger and potentially causing cracks. A cracked heat exchanger could allow exhaust gas from the furnacetocontaminate the household air with carbon monoxide. The hot combustion gas within the heat exchanger heats up the metal walls, and the blower fan of the furnace comes on and sends air around the exchanger, where it picks up heat from the furnace wall, then continues into the ductwork. The heat exchanger is a metal container inside the furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. In most cases, if the heat exchanger is cracked, your hvac company will recommend replacing the entire furnace. 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. A warning about cracked heat exchangers in gas furnace. A cracked heat exchanger in a furnace can be a potentially dangerous situation. Your home heating system should function efficiently for many years if you take care of the furnace via.
In a properly functioning gas furnace system, the flue transfers carbon monoxide and other gases produced by combustion safely out of the. The heat exchanger is what swaps out cool air for warm. The most likely cause for a crack in the heat exchanger is corrosion. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger will definitely produce carbon monoxide and poses an immediate danger. If you discover any cracks or holes, contact an hvac technician for heat exchanger replacement. This trips a safety switch and shuts down the furnace. Metal equipment is relied upon for its durability but it lacks the ability to contract and expand with heat when its subjected to extreme cold and heat. A cracked heat exchanger could allow exhaust gas to escape from the furnace and contaminate the air with carbon monoxide. The cause of cracked heat exchangers avoid this common scam. When it fails, it doesnt just leave you without heat.
A furnace depends on the heat exchanger to contain these dangerous fumes and safely conduct them to the chimney while transferring the. As we alluded to above, a crack on a heat exchanger can be invisible to you. Symptoms of furnace heat exchanger crack, red tag enbridge. A well qualified hvac technician will look for a furnace cracked heat exchanger during a maintenance check. In order for this to happen, the furnace must be producing high levels.
While it may happen all at once and possibly incapacitate you, chances are it can. Furnace heatexchanger crack signs your furnace has one. Feb 08, 2019 with the polar vortex and other extreme winter weather ravaging much of america, the problem of cracked heat exchangers has become front and center. Heat is picked up from the furnace wall, and then continues into the ducts. Perhaps the most worrying problem is a cracked heat exchanger, which were going to look at now. Dont underestimate the danger of a cracked heat exchanger. Dangerous cracked heat exchangers in furnaces everyone wants heat when old man winter arrives in the fall. With the polar vortex and other extreme winter weather ravaging much of america, the problem of cracked heat exchangers has become front and center. Dont worry though, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid your heat exchanger failing before the lifespan of your furnace is up, including. In some cases, carbon monoxide could also be escaping. Dangers of a cracked heat exchanger shavitz heating and. A cracked heat exchanger is one of those furnace issues that should notwell, cannotbe ignored. Needless to say, visual heat exchanger analysis provides woefully inadequate answers to these very important questions.
When the leaves start changing, and there is a chill in the air we all begin thinking about the colder weather of the winter ahead. Unless youre familiar with hvac units, diagnosing a cracked heat exchanger is nearly impossible. Dangers of a cracked heat exchanger shavitz heating and air. It is usually an indicator of more trouble in the future, and should not be taken lightly. Avoid these 4 common furnace repair scams oconomowoc boiler. A gas furnaces heat exchanger is another potential source of leaked carbon monoxide. Danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger servicemax. Weve met with lots of homeowners looking for a second opinion about a supposedly cracked heat exchanger. Furnace with a cracked heat exchanger and flame rollout.
Many hvac contractors find cracked heat exchangers using visual analysis and use the results to recommend furnace replacement. The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger air agents. The hot combustion gas within the exchanger heat up the metal walls, and the blower fan of the furnace comes on, and sends air around the exchanger. 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. The dangers associated with a cracked heat exchanger.
837 584 1396 422 856 1360 534 1451 689 89 202 181 1456 785 1524 581 1182 1133 396 448 595 80 1077 788 1033 730 229 534 107 820