Ensuring your home is warm and comfortable throughout the chilly winter months is essential. Without a properly functioning heater, you may find yourself huddling under blankets, trying to brave the freezing temperatures. However, as this system works hard to keep you warm, you may be dealing with potential system threats like a cracked heat exchanger.
What might seem like a minor problem can pose a serious risk to the health and well-being of your loved ones. If you’ve been experiencing odd or substandard performance from your heater and suspect you might be dealing with a cracked heat exchanger, keep reading to see what you need to do to keep your family safe.
What Does Your Heat Exchanger Do?
To understand the threat a cracked heat exchanger poses to your family, you need to understand its role in your heater. A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat between two fluids without mixing them. It is commonly used in HVAC systems, water heaters, and refrigerators to help regulate temperatures more efficiently.
A heat exchanger warms the air in your heater by transferring heat from hot water or steam, keeping your living space comfortable as temperatures drop. Heat exchangers help save energy by making the heating and cooling process more effective, which can lower utility bills. This device is essential for comfort and efficiency, providing consistent warmth in the winter.
Signs of a Cracked or Damaged Heat Exchanger
Identifying a cracked heat exchanger can be far more difficult than you might think. Unlike other components within your heater, the system will continue running with a cracked heat exchanger. In many cases, you may not realize your heat exchanger is cracked until the system is opened up and inspected.
However, you likely aren’t performing this kind of thorough inspection on your system on your own. While it can be difficult to identify a damaged heat exchanger, there are a few signs you can look out for that you may be experiencing a problem within the system that requires professional attention, including:
- Uneven or inconsistent heating
- Strong chemical smells from the system
- Flickering, yellow flames
- Soot buildup around the furnace
- Unusual sounds, like rattling and banging
- Carbon monoxide alarm activation
Although you might be experiencing some of these signs, you may not consider scheduling essential furnace repairs if the system continues to run. While this may seem like a fine decision, it can be incredibly detrimental to the health of your loved ones and the well-being of your furnace.
The Risk of Running a Damaged Furnace
Choosing to run your furnace with a cracked heat exchanger can be incredibly harmful to the system and may present some health risks to your loved ones. Some of the most significant risks of running your furnace while it has a cracked heat exchanger include:
- Carbon Monoxide Exposure: A cracked heat exchanger can leak harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, into your home’s air supply. This colorless, odorless gas can cause serious health issues or even be fatal with prolonged exposure.
- Further System Damage: Much like with any other device, choosing to run your furnace while it is damaged can result in further damage. This damage can put stress on other components, leading to increased system breakdown.
- Decreased Efficiency: With a cracked heat exchanger, your system will struggle to heat your home adequately. It will work harder to meet your heating needs, which can lead to a direct increase in your monthly energy bill.
- Fire Hazard: A cracked heat exchanger allows toxic gases to escape from your furnace. These gases can escape near the active flame of your furnace, which can result in a fire if you do not power down the system.
Why You Need Professional Inspections
If you suspect your heat exchanger is cracked, you may consider inspecting the system yourself. While this might seem like an easy way to save money and make necessary repairs, it can be detrimental to the well-being of your system. Without proper tools and training, you may cause more significant and costly damage to the system.
Instead of attempting this service on your own, it is best to rely on a trusted HVAC professional for any inspections and repairs. Not only can they quickly identify and remedy system damage, but they can also spot minor damage before it compromises your system. Additionally, they can suggest a maintenance plan to keep the system functioning properly for years to come.
During these appointments, they’ll make any minor suggestions to ensure your system is functioning efficiently. You should try to schedule maintenance at least twice a year, at the start of spring and fall, to ensure your system is prepared for upcoming weather conditions while avoiding the busier summer and winter months.
If you’ve noticed a significant decline in system performance or you want to maintain the system, don’t attempt this on your own. Instead, read online reviews, check service menus, and choose an HVAC contractor with the training and experience necessary to keep your system performing its best.
Your Roy, UT, HVAC Expert
If you’re looking for a reliable HVAC expert in the Roy, Utah, area to help you address a cracked heat exchanger, turn to our team at R&D Heating & Air for support. For years, we’ve provided the most reliable HVAC care to homeowners across the city and beyond. From the most minor problems to major system failures, we have experience remedying it all.
Don’t let a damaged furnace get you down this winter. Contact our team at R&D Heating & Air and trust that we can quickly restore its function to ensure your comfort during the coldest days of the year.
