Can I run my furnace with a cracked heat exchanger?
Can I run my furnace with a cracked heat exchanger?
Rule #1: If your Heat Exchanger has been deemed cracked by a HVAC professional you should NOT be running it. Unfortunately, some owners will attempt to run their furnace even when a cracked heatexchanger has been detected.Aug 4, 2021
Can you replace just the heat exchanger?
If parts and labor are still under warranty, you can probably replace just the exchanger for now. If you're covered for parts but not labor, you can further discuss the pros and cons with your HVAC professional.
Are cracked heatexchanger safe?
One thing's for sure a cracked heatexchanger is a silent death trap. If there is a heatexchanger crack, it can cause carbon monoxide gas (CO) to leak out of your gas furnace.
How much does a new heatexchanger cost?
The cost of replacing a heatexchanger ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. Replacing your furnace's heatexchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new. However, it is not worth spending your money on replacing your heatexchanger when it is near the end of its life span, which is ten years or more.
Can a cracked heatexchanger be dangerous?
Even if your furnace looks fine, a cracked heatexchanger could lead to dangerous gases being leaked into your home. These dangerous gasses can seriously affect those who are exposed to them. When it comes to a damaged gas furnace, it's important to take it seriously for the safety of your home.
How long does a new heatexchanger last?
In most cases, the heatexchanger determines how long your furnace will last. The heatexchanger is responsible for heating the air that circulates through your home in the winter. Heat exchangers usually last about 15 years.
Can a cracked heatexchanger cause a fire?
Carbon monoxide poisoning is not the only possible danger a cracked heatexchanger presents. If combustible gas builds up in your heating unit and is released into your home through a fracture, it can lead to a potentially deadly furnace fire.
Can you replace a cracked heatexchanger on a furnace?
The best way to repair a cracked heatexchanger is to remove it and put in a new one. This doesn't require replacing other parts of the furnace. However, it's an expensive repair. Often a repair that's too expensive compared to having a new furnace put in.Jan 8, 2018
Should I replace a cracked heat exchanger?
If your heatexchanger is cracked, your furnace is probably nearing the end of its life (18-20 years). If that's the case, then it's usually not worth the money to replace the heat exchanger. No matter who you ask, replacing a heatexchanger will be expensive.
What happens if you have a cracked heat exchanger?
A cracked heatexchanger poses a serious threat to the safety of your home. If there's a crack in one of the cells of the heat exchanger, the gases being burned carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide could leak into your home, causing illness or, in extreme cases, death.
Can you run a furnace with a bad heat exchanger?
Unfortunately, some owners will attempt to run their furnace even when a cracked heatexchanger has been detected. A crack in the heatexchanger can allow poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) to leak into your home, leading to illness or even death.Aug 4, 2021
Can a cracked heatexchanger be replaced?
Unfortunately, heat exchangers cannot be repaired. When a heatexchanger cracks or rusts through it must be replaced. Because the heatexchanger is at the center of the furnace, nearly the whole furnace must be disassembled.Dec 2, 2015
What could happen if a gas furnace has a cracked heat exchanger?
If there is a heatexchanger crack, it can cause carbon monoxide gas (CO) to leak out of your gas furnace. Bottom line: this natural gas is poisonous and can be fatal. Carbon monoxide poisoning manifests as unexplained headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, strange collapses, unconsciousness.
What is the most common symptom of a cracked heat exchanger?
If you have a crack in the heat exchanger, you are likely to hear a rattling noise as your thermostat turns on the heat. Because the heatexchanger is made out of metal, as it is heated cracks will expand/contract, and can cause rattling, popping, and/or banging noises. Presence of Carbon Monoxide.
What action should be taken if a cracked heatexchanger is found?
We can tell you one thing is for certain: a cracked heatexchanger means you must replace your entire furnace. The American Gas Association recommends replacing the entire unit for safety reasons. The heatexchanger itself can't be fixed, only replaced.
What happens if your heatexchanger is cracked?
There are so many things that can go wrong with your heating system, but a cracked heatexchanger is the worst of them all. A crack in this vital piece of equipment will cause it to malfunction and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or even death.
How do I know if my heatexchanger is bad?
- Strange smells. A malfunctioning heatexchanger will often create an unpleasant and strong odor that smells similar to formaldehyde.
- Soot Build-up.
- Corrosion & Cracks.
- Change in the flame appearance.
- Audible Sounds.
- Presence of Carbon Monoxide.
What would cause a heatexchanger to crack?
What is the cause of heatexchanger cracks? Overheating causes nearly all premature heatexchanger cracks. When a furnace cannot get enough airflow, the heatexchanger overheats and suffers excess stress from expansion and contraction. Over time, the heat stress causes cracks near weak areas such as bends or welds.Dec 2, 2015
How do I know if my furnaceheatexchanger is cracked?
- Visible Damage. You may be able to see cracks in the heatexchanger when you visually inspect the furnace.
- Soot. The presence of soot on the heatexchanger or on the furnace's interiors is a warning sign of incomplete combustion.
- Abnormal Flame.
- Noticeable Odors.
- Water on the Floor.
How dangerous is a cracked furnaceheat exchanger?
What if Your Have Cracked Heat Exchanger? When you're told that your heatexchanger is cracked, exhaust gases can leak into the air instead of entirely into the flue pipe. The most hazardous of these gases is Carbon Monoxide. For this reason it is a must for you to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.Nov 8, 2019
How long do furnaceheat exchangers last?
In most cases, the heatexchanger determines how long your furnace will last. The heatexchanger is responsible for heating the air that circulates through your home in the winter. Heat exchangers usually last about 15 years. If you invest in maintenance, yours might even last 20.
What happens when a furnaceheatexchanger cracks?
If the heatexchanger is compromised by a crack or rust, flue gases and carbon monoxide will leak into the home resulting in illness and possibly death of the occupants.Dec 2, 2015
Can a heatexchanger be replaced in a furnace?
You can't repair or replace a heatexchanger because there's too big a risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. It's also cost-prohibitive. That's why you need to replace the entire furnace.Dec 5, 2019