There are some parts of your furnace that are more important than others. The heat exchanger happens to be one of the most vital parts of your furnace as it works to help keep you warm and also keeps your home safe from carbon monoxide. As your furnace gets older, there are a number of different things that can lead to need for repair. However, if you experience a cracked heat exchanger, it can put your home at risk of carbon monoxide leaks. New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to talk about some of the signs you might see if you have a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger.

What are the Symptoms of a Faulty or Cracked Heat Exchanger?

If your aging furnace is developing a crack in the heat exchanger, it isn’t something that you want to ignore. A cracked heat exchanger can be downright dangerous for your home. Here are some of the signs that you should look for with your furnace that could point to a crack in the heat exchanger:
– Carbon Monoxide Alarm: If there is carbon monoxide leaking into the house, your carbon monoxide alarms should start sounding. Make sure all the batteries in these alarms are regularly changed to help offer your home the protection it needs against this colorless, odorless gas.
– Soot & Rust on Outside of Furnace: Another sign that your heat exchanger has a crack in it is a collection of soot and rust around the outside of your furnace. It is caused by a combustion problem which your heat exchanger is responsible for.
– Loud Furnace Noises: Just like every other furnace out there, yours will make some noise while it is running. However, if you notice a sudden change in these noises or they become much louder all of a sudden, it can point to a cracked heat exchanger. Sounds like popping, banging or rattling should always be addressed by a professional.
– Visible Furnace Cracks: As your furnace gets older, it is more and more important that you are visually inspecting it on a regular basis. You can sometimes see cracks starting to appear in the heat exchanger if you know you’re looking for. Obviously, if you notice any of these cracks, make sure you turn your furnace off and call in the pros to take a closer look.

How Do You Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

There are a few things you can do to prevent a cracked heat exchanger:
– Maintenance: Have your furnace serviced annually or biannually to make sure it is in tip top shape.
– Filters: Make sure you’re changing the filter in your furnace often.
– Overheating: Don’t turn up the heat so much that you’re stressing out your furnace as it tries to keep up with your demands.

Boiler & Furnace Heating Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York

If you have a furnace problem, you can turn to New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to fix it. We will handle any repairs, maintenance and replacements that you are in need of. Call us today!