You may have heard and read about the danger a cracked heat exchanger is to your home and entire household. Often signs and symptom of carbon monoxide poison is something you might be aware of. However, exactly what is the heat exchanger, what does it do and why can they pose a threat? To better understand your furnace’s heat exchanger and why they can fail and the consequences, New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing would like to share more about the heat exchanger and why they can develop problems and what to do if they break down.
What Does a Heat Exchanger Do?
Every furnace will have a heat exchanger. It is an essential component that allows the heating process. In order for a furnace to create heat, it needs to burn or combust fuel. Gas or propane furnaces will combust the fuel which creates heat. Therefore, it needs a chamber to contain the heat and the flue gases. The flue gases need to be contained and then ventilated outside safely thorough a chimney or flue. The combustion is essential to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a thin metal shield that stands in between the combustion chamber and the blower that circulates all of the warm air. Once the combustion chamber heats, the exchanger air is blown across the surface warming the air. The gases from the combustion chamber should safely vent outside, unless the heat exchanger develops a crack. If the heat exchanger cracks, flue gases will mix with the air that is being warmed and is then circulated throughout the house.
What Causes Heat Exchanger Failure?
It is not a common problem for the heat exchanger to develop a problem such as a crack. However, even though the heat exchanger is only a piece of metal it can fail. Each time the furnace creates heat for the exchanger to become hot to warm the air, the metal expands. Once the furnace completes a heating cycle the heat exchanger will then be able to cool down, which causes the metal to contract. The years of constant expanding and contracting can lead to stress and cracks. If the heat exchanger cracks it will release the flue gases into your home. Essentially, flue gas is carbon monoxide gas which is toxic and even deadly. Too much exposure to carbon monoxide gas will cause illness and eventually death if one is continually exposed. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so most people do not even know if they are breathing it in.
What to Do if Your Heat Exchanger is Broken?
First it is highly recommended that every home and business have a carbon monoxide detector installed. They will help warn you in the event the heat exchanger cracks. Other times sickness can be another warning sign of carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. When you discover your heat exchanger is damaged, turn off the furnace and open up all of the windows to circulate the flue gases out of the home. Do not turn the furnace back on until the heat exchanger can be repaired.
Furnace & Boiler Heating Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York
If you discover you need your heat exchanger repaired or have other HVAC or plumbing needs, contact New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and schedule our services today.
