Finding out that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger can be a harrowing experience. But what does it really mean for your system’s future? Let’s take a look at what damage to your heat exchanger really means.
Understanding the danger to your heat exchanger and household
While your furnace’s heat exchanger transfers heat from the fire being produced before it enters your air, it also prevents combustion materials from being distributed throughout your home. The exchanger is constantly being heated up and cooling down, and after years of service, cracks and holes may develop in the metal.
Although some of these cracks are insignificant, others can spell doom for your furnace, and can be harmful to your family. The biggest danger of a cracked heat exchanger is the possibility of carbon monoxide slipping through the breaches. This can lead to serious health problems, and possibly even death, if left untreated.
What do to after discovering a cracked heat exchanger
You’ll want to get a professional opinion before proceeding. An HVAC technician can evaluate the problem and advise you of your options. Repair is typically not recommended. Instead, most experts agree that any cracks in the heat exchanger mean that you’ll need to replace either the exchanger or the entire furnace.
If your furnace is still under warranty, switching out your exchanger will most likely be the best course of action. If it isn’t under warranty, replacing the exchanger is still an option, but doing so can be costly. In the case of no warranty, replacement of the furnace itself is usually recommended, especially if the furnace is showing its age. While this can be a very costly affair, one advantage is that you’ll be able to choose a more energy-efficient furnace, which will save you money in the years to come due to using less energy than your original model.
For more expert advice about handling a cracked heat exchanger, or for questions relating to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We have been serving the HVAC needs of West Bloomfield, Commerce Township and the greater Detroit area since 1945.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Cracked Heat Exchangers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.
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