What is a heat exchanger?
The heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that transfers heat from the combustion process to the air we breathe. The heated air moves through the vents of your home, heating each room.
The heat exchanger plays an important role by separating toxic gases from the combustion process, which is separated from the air circulating through your home. Toxic gases can include carbon monoxide.
A cracked heat exchanger can’t separate the gases effectively, as it normally would.
Why do heat exchangers crack?
Over time, heat exchangers can crack. Like anything that heats up and expands, and then contracts when it cools, it can crack.
(Think of driving down the QE2 in cold weather, with a warm car, and your windshield suddenly develops a crack. The same principle applies to the heat exchanger.)
As your furnace ages, it is more prone to heat exchanger cracks.
What are the risks of a cracked heat exchanger?
Cracks may be small, but they can let carbon monoxide enter your home.
In addition to letting toxic gases into your home, the heat exchanger will not operate as efficiently. This can drive up your heating costs or add extra stress to other components of your furnace that must compensate for the cracked heat exchanger.
Unfortunately, this can lead to other breakdowns in your furnace. In our experience, this most often happens during harsh cold weather.
Sadly, every year during extreme cold, we receive an influx of calls from customers with furnace issues. In these circumstances, customers often experience longer wait times because many homeowners need help at the same time.
To prevent a problem, have your furnace inspected regularly before cold weather adds extra stress to your furnace.
“We find that customers who regularly keep up on their furnace maintenance have lower utility costs and are comfortable without breakdowns when the weather gets severe.” – Brham Trim, President of The Gentlemen Pros Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical.
How Often Should Your Furnace Be Inspected?
We recommend an annual inspection for older furnaces, and every two years for newer furnaces. Ideally, you want to find a small problem before it becomes a big problem.
We also suggest regular maintenance, including a furnace cleaning. Dust buildup will reduce the efficiency of the furnace. (Just like all your computer equipment and electronics, dust is the enemy.)
Plan for regular furnace cleaning, which is different from furnace duct cleaning.
What to Expect During a Furnace Inspection?
During an inspection, we examine all the components of your furnace and test them to ensure they fall within the manufacturer's specifications.
If we find something outside of those specifications, it is a warning sign that the component is wearing down and should be replaced to help prevent a breakdown when the furnace is working hard on those cold winter days.
Reach out to book a furnace inspection.