You may have heard about cracked heat exchangers before. If you have a furnace, this is definitely a problem that you want to prevent. Replacing a cracked heat exchanger can be expensive, and it can be a hassle too.
The good news is, there are steps that you can take to protect your furnace and heat exchanger. But if you suspect that something is wrong, you may need to invest in heating repair in Shreveport, LA. If you have doubts about your furnace, you are always welcome to give us a call. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about how to take care of your furnace and prevent a cracked heat exchanger.
Common Causes of Heat Exchanger Cracks
Unfortunately, heat exchanger cracks are not uncommon. They can happen for a variety of reasons, including normal wear and tear from age, dirty air filters that block airflow, and closed vents that prevent heat from leaving the system.
How to Prevent Heat Exchanger Cracks
Invest in Maintenance
Perhaps the best way to take care of your furnace is to have an annual tune-up. This gives a professional a chance to inspect your heat exchanger for any problems that can spread or become worse. It also gives our team a chance to give you recommendations for how to better care for your furnace so that it lasts you longer than the average lifespan.
Change the Air Filter
You need to change your air filter regularly to better take care of your furnace. Your air filter helps your furnace by blocking dust and dirt from entering the system. But if you don’t change the filter, this dust and dirt accumulate to block airflow completely. A lack of airflow can put a huge strain on your furnace as it works harder to bring in air, leading to a cracked heat exchanger.
Open Air Vents
You may be tempted to close air vents in certain areas of your house to channel heat into other areas. But that’s not how your system was designed. This can lead to a backup of heat in your furnace that causes overheating. Always leave all of your air vents open to promote good airflow.
Trust a Professional
Always have a certified professional do the work on your furnace. You want to ensure that an expert addresses problems in your system. You may have a well-meaning friend or neighbor who offers to help, but it’s easy to do more harm than good when they don’t know exactly what they’re doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the warning signs of a cracked furnace heat exchanger?
Answer: Possible signs include unusual furnace noises, soot buildup, frequent cycling, a yellow or flickering burner flame, or a carbon monoxide alarm. Because these symptoms can also point to other furnace problems, a professional inspection is needed to confirm whether the heat exchanger is damaged.
Question: Can a cracked heat exchanger cause carbon monoxide to enter the home?
Answer: Yes. A damaged heat exchanger can allow combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, to mix with household air. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, working carbon monoxide detectors are an important safety measure in homes with fuel-burning furnaces.
Question: Should a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger still be used?
Answer: No. A suspected cracked heat exchanger should be treated as a serious furnace safety issue. Turn the system off and have it inspected by a qualified HVAC professional before using it again.
Question: Can an oversized furnace increase the risk of heat exchanger damage?
Answer: It can. An oversized furnace may cycle on and off more frequently, causing the heat exchanger to repeatedly expand and contract. Over time, that added thermal stress can contribute to metal fatigue and cracking.
Question: Can a cracked heat exchanger be repaired, or does it need replacement?
Answer: A cracked heat exchanger generally requires replacement rather than patching because it is a critical combustion-safety component. Depending on the furnace’s age, condition, and repair cost, homeowners may also need to compare heat exchanger replacement with replacing the entire furnace.
Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration can help with your emergency AC needs. Call the doctor of home comfort today to schedule an appointment.
