Your furnace is one of the first lines of defence against the cold weather outside so it’s essential to make sure it’s performing at peak efficiency. However, sometimes issues arise that could potentially leave your heat and home in danger. A cracked heat exchanger is a furnace problem homeowners should fix right away, as neglecting it could cause major issues for your unit and could pose a safety hazard.

What Is A Heat Exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a key component to heating the air that is distributed throughout the home. It collects combustion gas in an enclosed space and heats the walls of the furnace, and when the furnace’s blower sends air through the unit, it picks up the warmth created by the heat exchanger. The air that circulates through your home never actually comes in contact with the gas, as the heat exchanger is sealed. Excess gas and combustion byproducts are then vented out of the exchanger through a flue pipe.

How Does a Heat Exchanger Crack?

Because the heat exchanger is where the combustion gas accumulates, this metal expands and retracts as it heats and cools. This is how a crack can occur, and while it may be extremely small at first, continuing to use the furnace will only make it bigger. A cracked heat exchanger is dangerous because the gas that provides your home with heat is not something that should be inhaled. Even the smallest opening in the exchanger can allow the combustion gas to be ventilated throughout your home.

How To Tell If You Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

One way to tell if you have a serious furnace problem is if you hear a clicking sound after the blower has been turned off. Signs of corrosion could also indicate something is wrong with the furnace. A carbon monoxide alarm will also indicate there’s a serious problem with the heat exchanger.

It’s important to keep your family safe and warm this winter. Regular furnace service can help spot problems with a heat exchanger early, but if you’re concerned with your heating system, make sure to call a licensed furnace technician right away.