Many hvac contractors find cracked heat exchangers using visual analysis and use the results to recommend furnace replacement. 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 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. 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. Dangers of cracked heat exchanger the biggest danger from a cracked heat exchanger is the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak. If you would like to schedule maintenance and cleaning to help extend the life of your furnace, you can contact us at 3177530279. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace is a serious safety issue.
So here are my suggestions on how to find cracked heat exchangers and other furnace safety issues. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason. For this reason, i want to share with you some of the common symptoms and causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace. Beware of an unethical technician who finds a crack with a camera on a furnace that seems to be running just fine. Chemical odors coming from your furnace is likely a sign of a cracked heat exchanger a serious furnace problem that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. What are the causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a gas. Should i replace my heat exchanger or buy a new furnace. When a furnace is oversized, a number of problems can exist including short cycling and cycling on limit. The carrier highefficiency gas furnace tradeinallowance program is designed to offer homeowners an alternative to replacing only the heat exchanger under the terms of their limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty on a first generation carrier condensing furnace. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger. The best way to prevent heat exchangerrelated problems is to have your heating system maintained yearly by an experienced hvac pro.
Furnace location making the replacement on a furnace that is easy to access is difficult enough. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is usually an exception, because of the cost of the repair. If a heat exchanger becomes cracked, then your heating system will not perform as it should. Avoid these 4 common furnace repair scams oconomowoc boiler. At its outset, a cracked heat exchanger is a problem that will go unnoticed by most homeowners. This is a sign that the burner is not burning properly and needs to be fixed. There is only one way to repair a cracked heat exchanger, and that involves either replacing the heat exchanger or the whole furnace itself.
This passageway, combined with a metal chamber, allows for the safe distribution of heated air throughout your home. Because it allows the exhaust fumes inside the exchanger to leak into the air. A damaged or cracked heat exchanger is the cause of the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning in north america. Jul 28, 2010 the flames dance when the air handler turns on. Press this onto the furnace heat exchanger, and allow it to dry.
Ambient carbon monoxide one of the first things you should do is measure ambient co in the conditioned space while the heat is running with either a combustion analysis tool or a personal co detection device. A skilled technician can clean the system, make any necessary burner adjustments, check for proper airflow and inspect the heat exchanger for corrosion and cracks to ensure that everything is working safely and. There are certain signs to look for to determine if the heat exchanger has been. 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. The blower fan of the furnace then comes on and sends air around the exchanger, where it picks up the heat from the furnace wall, then continues into the ducts. A crack in the heat exchanger could also be at fault. In some situations, a targeted furnace repair may fix the problem. The hot combustion gas in the heat exchanger heats up the metal walls. The video below explains diagnosing pressure switch problems. A cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to interfere. The cause of cracked heat exchangers avoid this common scam.
Cracks in the heat exchanger are a serious problem and one that should not be ignored both for the safety of your home and for the longevity of your furnace. The cause can be anything from tilted burners to cracks in the heat exchange itself. The first step is simply to look where most homeowners cant. Possible problems with gas furnace heat exchanger youtube.
Cracked heat exchanger furnace trouble shooting help. When the furnace is in an attic or crawlspace, very few contractors will agree to replace the heat exchanger. The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger help heating. When a heat exchanger becomes damaged and the combustion fumes and gases mix with the clean air. Enjoy this 10minute video with ben gromicko as he takes apart a gasfired furnace to find a crack in the heat exchanger, and, thereby, demonstrates how impossible it is for home inspectors to. A heat exchanger must be visually inspected on a regular basis.
Cracked or corroded gas furnace heat exchangers leak co and other poisonous gasses into the home living area though air ducts. The longer you ignore the problem, the more severe it will get. In most cases, if the heat exchanger is cracked, your hvac company will recommend replacing the entire furnace. Sep 28, 2018 a furnace heat exchanger begins at the burner assembly of the furnace, and goes to the spot where the chimney vent connects with the furnace. They can come inspect your furnace and determine if you do indeed have a cracked heat exchanger. A warning to you cracked heat exchangers dont get scammed. Furnace heat exchanger replacement costs 2020 costimatesfurnace. If there is a crack in the furnaces heat exchanger, there will be some signs and symptoms that are normally evident concerning the furnace. The heat exchanger is a component of a heating system that transfers heat between fluids to either cool or heat up a home or building. Cracked heat exchanger deciding to repair or replace. Basically, the heat exchanger is where the furnace heats the air. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of fuels such as petroleum and wood. 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 carrier highefficiency gas furnace tradeinallowance program is designed to offer homeowners an alternative to replacing only the heat exchanger under the terms of their limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty on a first generation carrier condensing furnace, if their furnace experiences a heat exchanger failure.
Both of those cause the heat exchanger to heat up and cool down far more often than if the furnace was closer to the proper size for the home or, better yet, was able to use a lower stage or modulate its heat output for smaller loads. The furnace heat exchanger is the one of the main components inside the gas furnace and its used to transfer the heat from the. The combustible gas will become hotter as it accumulates in the exchanger. Dec 30, 2019 if the furnace has a soot buildup inside of it, then chances are that the heat exchanger is damaged. Even if your furnace looks fine, a cracked heat exchanger could lead to. A furnace heat exchanger begins at the burner assembly of the furnace, and goes to the spot where the chimney vent connects with the furnace. 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. The heat exchanger is aptly named it collects air through the ventilation system and exchanges it to heat with the help of the furnace burners. In a home heater, the heat exchanger heats up the air that travels through the ventilation system. Heat exchanger can crack for various reasons and should be checked every time furnace is repaired or maintained.
Heres why your furnace heat exchanger cracked in carbon monoxide testing, central heating and air conditioning, furnace repair. Guide to furnace heat exchanger inspection, testing, leaks how to inspect and test furnace heat exchangers for leaks photographs show clues indicating leaky, dangerous furnace heat exchangers furnace heat exchanger leak testing, a complete list of methods used to find or test for leaks in a furnace heat exchange what is the allowable amount of gas fired heat exchanger leakage. This trips a safety switch and shuts down the furnace. 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. If the furnace is a 90% efficient furnace, the condensate drain may be blocked. Simple furnace heat exchanger test hvac learning solutions.
The furnace usually sends the fumes out a flue, but a crack. If you would like to schedule maintenance and cleaning to help extend the. We have talked a lot about furnace failures, repairs, and replacement in our blog and we want to go more in depth about furnace heat exchanger design, how they work, and why they fail. In a normal gas furnace, the flame will usually appear blue. Even though your furnace may look and seem fine, dangerous gases could leak into your home and seriously affect, even kill, your family members. Though a cracked heat exchanger does not always mean that carbon monoxide will escape into your home, most people are not comfortable with taking that risk and will want to replace the unit. It is usually an indicator of more trouble in the future, and should not be taken lightly. Carrier common furnace problems premature heat exchanger. The heat exchanger on a furnace is the section that keeps the combustion chamber and the breathing air separate 3. As mentioned before, metal fatigue can lead to cracks in the heat exchanger, which in turn can cause a whole host of problems. Heres a closer look at the dangers of cracked heat exchangers and how you should proceed if you notice the telltale chemical odor coming from your furnace. A crack in your heat exchanger is no trivial matter.
Information was added to the co article hidden problems can cause. Your home heating system should function efficiently for many years if you take care of the furnace via regular maintenance visits from a professional. 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. Were you recently told that your furnace heat exchanger is cracked and needs to be replaced. Theres a lot of good info on there, but some of it is misleading and there are a lot of straw man arguments made. This odourless, colourless toxic gas can enter your home through the cracks in the heat exchanger and pose a very serious safety concern to everyone living in the home. However, professional hvac technicians always check heat exchangers for damage during their preseason maintenance inspection. If you have an iron heat exchanger, then you need to find an iron repair liquid, which uses chemical reactions to seal holes in iron. Most people tend to think that carbon monoxide is the main threat from a cracked heat exchanger. A furnace with a cracked heatexchanger is usually an exception, because of the cost of the repair. 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.
Signs your heat exchanger is cracked romaniuk edmonton. But the decision to repair or replace a heating unit can be difficult. Having a cracked heat exchanger can have a very adverse effect on the overall performance of your home heating equipment. One of the best ways you can protect your home from the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger is to know how those cracks develop in the first place. Cracked heat exchanger deciding to repair or replace depending on the age of your furnace, a cracked heat exchange probably means you need a new system. Heres why your furnace heat exchanger cracked heating. Signs your heat exchanger may be cracked on your gas furnace. Oct 09, 2012 enjoy this 10minute video with ben gromicko as he takes apart a gasfired furnace to find a crack in the heat exchanger, and, thereby, demonstrates how impossible it is for home inspectors to.
A cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to. Weve met with lots of homeowners looking for a second opinion about a supposedly cracked heat. The secondary heat exchanger meets the visual inspection failure criteria per visual inspection instructions provided in smb 090022. Visual observation of light or water passing through the breach is positive confirmation of a crack. Danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger servicemax. Its the most common cause of excess carbon monoxide in a home. Dec 06, 2017 dangers of cracked heat exchanger the biggest danger from a cracked heat exchanger is the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak. This odourless, colourless toxic gas can enter your home through the cracks in the heat exchanger and pose a very serious safety concern to everyone living in. When a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, can it be.
Chemical odors coming from your furnace is likely a sign of a cracked heat exchanger a serious furnace problem that could lead to carbon. Nov 09, 2017 the best way to prevent heat exchanger related problems is to have your heating system maintained yearly by an experienced hvac pro. Mar 11, 20 when a furnace is oversized, a number of problems can exist including short cycling and cycling on limit. A cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to interfere with the flame causing it to flutter or even roll out. Dec 19, 2019 furnace efficiency highefficiency furnaces are more complex and more expensive than 80% furnaces. Be on the watch for symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger like.
The heat exchanger is a metal container inside the furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. If a crack makes its way through the walls of your heat exchanger, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can leak into your homes air. 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. Furnace crack heat exchanger, cracked firebox, furnace repair. Jan, 2020 a cracked heat exchanger also presents potential physical harm to your family.
This is a tell tale sign of a possible problem with the heat exchanger and a hazardous safety issue. A warning about cracked heat exchangers in gas furnace. In this way, the combustion gas heats the air without the gas having ever to come in contact with it. Combustible gas increases in temperature and collects in the heat exchanger, allowing it to increase the temperature of the air. Gas furnace pressure switch problems gray furnaceman. A cracked heat exchanger is not a problem that should be taken lightly. Visually check heat exchanger for cracks you will find most cracks form near the back and where the heat exchanger metal bends, since this is where it will be weakest due manufacturer weakening the metal by bending. Some holes or small openings may have been there for years.
Lets go over the effects of a heat exchanger failure. 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 furnace produces heat but fails combustion analysis test due to heat exchanger restriction as diagnosed per guidelines provided in smb 090022. If the furnace has a soot buildup inside of it, then chances are that the heat exchanger is damaged. You can just have the heat exchanger replaced, but it is an expensive repair, and a new furnace is often the smarter investment. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger will definitely produce carbon monoxide and. The most toxic of these exhaust fumes is carbon monoxide, which can cause severe health problems. Furnace heatexchanger crack signs your furnace has one.