What are the causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace. A heat exchanger is much more likely to crack if your furnace was installed or repaired by a lowquality contractor. In most cases, if the heat exchanger is cracked, your hvac company will recommend replacing the entire furnace. Danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger servicemax. The your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be.
Carbon monoxide detectors will keep people safe from carbon monoxide. This will lessen the stress on the heat exchanger unit, preventing cracks and damage. Why its important to have your furnace cleaned and inspected. These are the weak areas most likely to break first.
We guarantee that our technicians verify cracks and voids in heat exchangers during their inspections. Aug 31, 2015 this video is about the your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be replaced scam. If your heat exchanger is most likely the issue, its time to call in a professional. Please read this article about why heat exchanger cracks do not allow carbon monoxide into the house. That showed us more of the heat exchanger, but it still didnt show us. Corrosion because of reaction between the combustion gas and the metal often because of improper venting can also weaken the metal to the point where cracks. The most common cause of an overheated heat exchanger is as simple as a dirty air filter. The author has been in the industry for years as a trainer for hvac technicians.
Dec 28, 2016 testing a natural draft furnace heat exchanger cell. Hvac courses understanding your heat exchanger the heat. Corrosion because of reaction between the combustion gas and the metal often because of improper venting can also weaken the metal to the point where cracks form. Some holes or small openings may have been there for years. If a crack makes its way through the walls of your heat exchanger, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can leak into your homes air. The heat of the combustion gas raises the temperature of the metal, and as the air from the blower passes around it, heat transfers to it. An oversized furnace can also cause overheating and heat exchanger cracks. During annual tuneups, well inspect your heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger is a metal container inside the furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. Hvac courses understanding your heat exchanger the. This article is going to go over what a heat exchanger is, why it cracks and what you can do about it if you have a home warranty. A cracked heat exchanger is the most common reason carbon monoxide or toxic gasses may escape into homes using a gas furnace. A cracked heat exchanger is one of the most serious issues that your furnace can develop. Some cracks have been known to only open when the unit is fired and the heat exchanger metal is hot. What is the heat exchanger in a furnace and how does it work. I always explain to them that we can replace the heat exchanger if its under warranty but that if the warranty is about to expire and they put a new. When your furnace turns on, its burners ignite and the flames from those burners are directed inside of the heat exchanger. Your furnace will develop rust over time because of the interaction of the combustion gases with the metal of your furnace. Regardless of why it cracked, the heat exchanger needs to be replaced. There are a couple of reasons, but the most basic one is years of wear and tear on the furnace.
Through this crack, combustion fumes can escape from the exchanger, and can build up in the room. A cracked heat exchanger could allow exhaust gas from the furnacetocontaminate the household air with carbon monoxide. One of the most common reasons a gas furnace can be taken out of service, is when the repair technician finds to a cracked heat exchanger. Gas furnace heat exchanger clogged problem what it. Possible deadly cracks missed in furnace inspections fox31. Home warranties and cracks in your furnaces heat exchanger. The moisture in burned gas is slightly acidicabout the same level as a tomatoand this acid will corrode a heat exchanger over time. What are the causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a gas. In a furnace, vent gases need to be kept at certain temperatures to keep the moisture in the gas from condensing in the wrong places, bob explains. Even if you take great care of your furnace, heat exchanger cracks can develop over time. If we find that our initial report of a cracked heat exchanger in your old furnace was wrong, your new furnace and its installation are free. Combustion gases from the burners are very hot, and they heat up the inside walls of the heat exchanger as they flow through it. This is why its something to watch out for in an old furnace. In most cases, small, closed hairline cracks do not mean that your furnace is dangerous to operate.
Located in the center of the furnace, it is where fire, gas and heat connect. If the heat exchanger cracks, it can stretch open to allow for these toxic pollutants to escapeand go right into your homes air. A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger will definitely produce carbon. Learn how your furnace develops cracks in its heat exchangers and what that. The following are various procedures and test methods to tell how to identify a cracked furnace heat exchanger.
Carbon monoxide can seep out of through a cracked heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a key part of the furnace and is responsible for the actual heating of air. We frequently see too much furnace with too little ductwork or. The cracked heat exchanger because the metal of the heat exchanger expands and then contracts as it heats and cools, the stress may eventually cause a crack to form on the exchanger. If a heat exchanger and furnace are already in good condition, technicians can encourage homeowners to replace the filters on a regular basis. A combustion analysis is necessary to verify safe furnace operation or detect problems that effect safety and efficiency. All too often, furnaces are grossly oversized or used incorrectly which causes the heat exchanger to fail prematurely. When the blower kicks on and cool air flows over the gastoair heat exchanger, the air gets warmer without having to come into contact with dangerous gases. Press this onto the furnace heat exchanger, and allow it to dry. Some people choose to live in denial of the seriousness of a cracked heat exchanger. If it is your heat exchanger, you cannot run your furnace, even if it.
Because it allows the exhaust fumes inside the exchanger to leak into the air. He operned up a port and took a mirror to assess if there were any heat exchanger cracks as the plenum is narrow and i have a 110 input90 output btu unit for a house rated at 75 btu. A warning to you cracked heat exchangers dont get scammed. Even though your furnace may look and seem fine, dangerous gases. We use it to check co levels given in parts per million, or ppm and determine for sure whether theres a crack in your heat exchanger. Your gas furnace is designed for safety with safety switches and shut offs. Back in the day, the only way to check a heat exchanger for cracks was to perform a visual inspection. In many organizations, finding a cracked heat exchanger constitutes a really good day, and sometimes a boost to the wallet. Cracks in your heat exchanger can also cause your system to perform inefficiently. Hvac businesses in minnesota lock out furnaces when cracked heat exchangers are found.
Over time, the heat stress causes cracks near weak areas such as bends or welds. A broken heat exchanger increases the risk of fire and can distribute carbon monoxide fumes throughout your. The reason a crack in a heat exchanger is such a cause for concernand reason to think about replacing a furnaceis because it creates a major health hazard. Because the metal of the heat exchanger expands and then contracts as it heats and cools, the stress may eventually cause a crack to form on the exchanger. Pour a little bit of the chemical on the hole, and leave it to dry until it seals around the exchanger. The combustion analyzer also helps us gauge the overall performance of your furnace. Possible deadly cracks missed in furnace inspections. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training videos made to acc.
Broken and leaking heat exchangers are responsible for about 1,500 deaths per year in the united states, and many more people are poisoned by exposure to toxic gasses that go unfiltered by defective heat exchangers. Gas furnace heat exchanger clogged problem what it looks like and burn spots. The crack allows the release of dangerous carbon monoxide into the air. A small diagnostic fee can save you thousands in replacement costs. Sep 17, 2015 a number of things can go wrong in a furnace, but of all those things, a cracked heat exchanger is one of the most severe problems. When a furnace cannot get enough airflow, the heat exchanger overheats and suffers excess stress from expansion and contraction. The cause can be improperly adjusted burners or a cracked heat exchanger. This video is about the your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be replaced scam. A clogged air filter restricts airflow through the furnace, overheating the heat exchanger, and eventually resulting in stress cracks. The furnace heat exchanger is the one of the main components inside the gas furnace and its used to transfer the heat from the gas burner to the warm air thats blown into your home. You can just have the heat exchanger replaced, but it is an expensive repair, and a new furnace is often the smarter investment. If you find that your furnace heat exchanger has trouble getting enough heat and power, then you may find that it has developed a crack or hole. It is important to repair your furnace if you notice a crack in it.
If you get a cracked heat exchanger diagnosis learn how not to get scammed. A number of things can go wrong in a furnace, but of all those things, a cracked heat exchanger is one of the most severe problems. Even a small crack is an issue, since it will stretch wider as the heat exchanger. The inspector camera is the only furnace inspection camera on the market today that utilizes a high definition high resolution camera and monitor. How to prevent a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace. They can come inspect your furnace and determine if you do indeed have a cracked heat exchanger. He or she can use a combustion gas analyzer to determine if it is your heat exchanger or not. Both of those cause the heat exchanger to heat up and cool down far more often than if the furnace was closer to the proper size for the home or, better yet, was able to use a lower stage or modulate its heat output for smaller loads. The dangers of a cracked heat exchanger help heating. What is the heat exchanger in a furnace and how does it. Even small cracks are a defect that should be corrected by replacing either the furnace or the heat exchanger. Corrosion andor cracks on other furnace components. The unit is probably 30 years old and it seemed to be working fine.
Heres why your furnace heat exchanger cracked heating. Dec 02, 2015 the most common cause of an overheated heat exchanger is as simple as a dirty air filter. Have you heard this one recently, you have a cracked heat exchanger and your furnace has to be replaced, today. In order for this to happen, the furnace must be producing high levels. The heat exchanger, also known as a fire box or chamber, is made up of coiled tubes though not coils which contain the hot combustion gases. You dont want this to occur to your furnace, especially along the heat exchangers. All other cameras use a basic modified home security camera that is low resolution and never intended to see small cracks inside of furnace heat exchangers.
In order to prepare for the winter, i had my forced air furnace serviced by a repairman. To really understand why a damaged heat exchanger is so problematic, and how your home warranty company can help, we have to go over the basics of how a furnace works. The danger of a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger. Another heat exchanger killer is airflow, or more specifically, a lack of it. Incomplete combustion usually causes an increase in soot.
A cracked heat exchanger is not a problem that should be taken lightly. Basically, the heat exchanger is where the furnace heats the air. Heat exchanger inspections have almost become a science unto themselves. For this reason, i want to share with you some of the common symptoms and causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger change in flame appearance. Overheating causes nearly all premature heat exchanger cracks. Beware of an unethical technician who finds a crack with a camera on a furnace that seems to be running just fine. Testing a natural draft furnace heat exchanger cell. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last. Cracks in furnaces all about homes by john schnedier q. The appearance of a black carbon buildup on the furnace. Unless you are one of the top 3% of people who have all the money, replacing the furnace is going to hurt the pocket book if you have not planed for it, but it has to be done. Notice when the main blower kicks on the flame will become unstable and flicker or.
The heat exchanger absorbs energy from the burner flame and transfers it to airflow in the furnace plenum. Hvac businesses are using cracked heat exchangers to scam people. It is usually an indicator of more trouble in the future, and should not be taken lightly. Very few, if any, furnaces with a typical small crack or hole in the heat exchanger show elevated levels of carbon monoxide. One of the best ways you can protect your home from the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger is to know how those cracks develop in the first. Its comprised of a set of tubes or coils that repeatedly loops through the airflow inside the furnace to heat the air. Signs your heat exchanger is cracked romaniuk edmonton. If you have an iron heat exchanger, then you need to find an iron repair liquid, which uses chemical reactions to seal holes in iron. A gas furnaces heat exchanger is the furnace component that actually heats the air. Nearly all premature heat exchanger cracks are caused by overheating. If it cracks after the warranty is up, usually at least 20 years, consider replacing the entire furnace. It is important that the heat exchanger is taken care of as hazards can build from a faulty exchanger.
The most common cause of an overheated heat exchanger is a simple. It was better than nothing, but it was still only slightly better than flipping a coin. Here are a few of the reasons you will need to get repairs for a cracked furnace heat exchanger. Mar 19, 2007 the crack is open when the heat exchanger metal is at or close to room temperature. Heat exchangers can be replaced, however, if they are out of warranty, you are usually better off to install a new higher efficiency furnace. This one takes apart the ruudrheem heat exchanger to inspect the cracks. Very few, if any, furnaces with a typical small crack or hole in the heat exchanger show. The heat exchanger expands and contracts as it heats and cools, and this can. Reasons to get repairs for a cracked furnace heat exchanger. A warning about cracked heat exchangers in gas furnace.
If there is a crack in the furnaces heat exchanger, there will be some signs and symptoms that are normally evident concerning the furnace. Looking for cracks in a furnace heat exchanger this is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. A cracked heat exchanger is a serious failure in your gasfired furnace. They observe that their furnace is running just fine and. This is especially true of those that are 15 years old or older, and having your furnace inspected regularly will ensure any issues such as a cracked heat exchanger are diagnosed early on.
This component cycles heat out of the combustion chamber and into the plenum. Even if the carbon monoxide levels become elevated, the co goes up the flue with the rest of the products of combustion. In furnaces, the heat exchanger is designed to direct combustion byproducts to the exhaust flue on one side and warm air into the house on the other. Dec 02, 2016 if you smell a distinctly chemical odor thats similar to formaldehyde, the odor likely results from a crack in the heat exchanger component of your furnace. These cracks may be small, but as the exchanger expand with the heat, they open enough to allow some of the combustion gasses to escape and enter the airflow. If it is a small hole or crack, then it is a minor issue that needs to be corrected generally by replacing the furnace or heat exchanger. Can you repair a cracked heat exchanger on a gas furnace.
The cause of cracked heat exchangers avoid this common scam. A damaged heat exchanger in a gas furnace is potentially dangerous to a homes occupants and should not be ignored. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is reason for requiring replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace. One of the best ways you can protect your home from the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger is to know how those cracks develop in the first place. However, the repairman stated that there was a crack in the combustion chamber, and the furnace needed to be replaced. Mar 11, 20 both of those cause the heat exchanger to heat up and cool down far more often than if the furnace was closer to the proper size for the home or, better yet, was able to use a lower stage or modulate its heat output for smaller loads. The danger of cracked heat exchangers in gas furnaces.
A small crack may not be dangerous yet, it will get bigger and even small amounts of carbon monoxide can be dangerous. If you are inspecting your heat exchanger for cracks, check the bends or weld areas first. Other than this, there really isnt anything else that can definitively give you an answer. The service technician has the time, experience, or even reason to suspect the exchanger is cracked. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the meter will show us. Prevent a cracked furnace heat exchanger romaniuk edmonton. This separates dangerous combustion gases produced by the burner from the heated air that circulates through your home. A cracked heat exchanger not only spoils the performance of your furnace, but it will also create a safety threat to you and your loved ones. This video is about the your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be replaced. The heat exchanger is a set of coils or tubes typically located above the blower and below the plenum, where the pilot light starts. When a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, can it be. A cracked heat exchanger can cause combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide to. This means these harmful gasses will be sent through the house. Jan 10, 20 when a gas furnace has a cracked heat exchanger you can sometimes become aware of it when you first fire it up.
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