One of the major components of a furnace is the heat exchanger. A heat changer helps to heat up the air as the cold air passes through it. At the end of the heat exchanger is the blower where the heat is then circulated throughout the home. Even though it is considered rare for a heat exchanger to fail, they can and do fail, and will often develop cracks. A cracked heat exchanger is not good, in fact it is hazardous. For this reason, New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing would like to share why a heat exchanger will fail and the signs of a crack.
Why Would a Heat Exchanger Fail?
A furnace’s heat exchanger can develop a crack and or fail for a number of different reasons. To start with, one of these reasons can be something as simple as a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can cause a lot of stress and eventually lead to overheating. Overheating and stress is the perfect recipe for cracks. Another reason why a heat exchanger will develop cracks is when the furnace is oversized. Some homeowners will get the idea in their mind that a bigger furnace means better heating and efficiency. Well no, this is not the case. When the furnace is not properly sized to its heat space, it also cause a lot of stress which will lead to stress and crack the heat exchanger. It is discouraged to ever get an oversized heating or cooling system, they will have nothing but problems. Lastly cracks on the heat exchanger can occur in a very old furnace. Due to the wear of time and the stress from thousands of heating cycles, eventually it is possible for the heat exchanger to crack.
Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?
A cracked heat exchanger should never be tolerated. A cracked heat exchanger poses a serious hazard as well as safety for the home and household members. Through the heat exchanger crack, harmful gases that are designed to be filtered out through its exhaust system will fail. Cracks will allow this gas to flow out and into the home. The gas that is burnt can create carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide that will leak into the home. For this reason when signs of a cracked heat exchanger are detected it is important to seek professional help right away.
What Does a Cracked Heat Exchanger Look, Smell & Sound Like?
When a heat exchanger develops cracks they will give some signs. Following are some of the signs of a cracked heat exchanger that you should watch out for:
• Strange smells that are similar to formaldehyde.
• Soot marks on the outside of the furnace or around the burners.
• Cracks and corrosion found around the furnace, the draft diverter box, or the inducer motor.
• The pilot light flame that is an orange or yellow color. (It should be blue)
• You hear a popping or rattling noise when the furnace is running a cycle.
• Your carbon monoxide detector is going off if you have one.
If you have any or more than one of these signs, turn off your furnace and contact an HVAC service immediately.
Forced Air Furnace & Boiler Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York
If you need your furnace repaired or require other HVAC services, contact New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and schedule our services today.
