A cracked heat exchanger is probably one of the worst things that can affect a furnace. This is because when it cracks, it becomes a problem for the operation of the entire unit and a safety hazard for your family. Note that the gases produced by the combustion process might leak into the house and cause gas poisoning. Therefore, you should be constantly vigilant about the state of your heat exchanger and ensure that it doesn't have any cracks. Here's everything you need to know about this part of the heater and how to keep it in excellent condition.

Understand Common Reasons Why It Might Crack

Start by understanding why your heat exchanger might crack. Note that the metallic walls of the exchanger expand every time you heat the furnace and contract when it cools down. Given this, designers ensure these temperature changes don't ruin the exchanger as long as the unit works efficiently. However, the problem comes in when it starts overheating. In this case, overheating can come from rust, dirty air filters, and issues with airflow. That said, if you perform maintenance checkups on your unit and ensure that these parts work optimally, you will not have to deal with a cracked heat exchanger.

What Are the Dangers of a Cracked Exchanger?

Most people might overlook a cracked heat exchanger and consider it a minor inconvenience. However, it causes more harm than you may think. First, the products of the heating process, like carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless, will sneak into the home and cause gas poisoning. Moreover, the heat exchange process will not be as efficient when the exchanger has cracks. In addition, you will have to pay higher energy bills than usual because the heating efficiency diminishes.

Can You Prevent Heat Exchanger Problems?

Given the crucial task of your heat exchanger, you may want to learn ways to prevent issues that typically wreck it. A good way to do this is to start with an annual furnace tune-up by a professional. The expert will inspect every part of the system and ensure it's working. While at it, they will assess the exchanger and ensure there are no cracks on its surface. If they notice any, they might recommend that you install carbon monoxide detectors. On the other hand, replacing a heat exchanger is a complex process, and it would make more sense to replace the entire furnace instead.

Understanding these basic facts about how a heat exchanger works can save you a lot of trouble. More importantly, you should contact a furnace repair technician to troubleshoot or fix the issue with this crucial component. This way, you can stay safe and maintain the efficiency of your heat exchanger and furnace.

For more information about furnace repair, contact a local company.