Oct 25, 2017 i know that one of the most important parts of my furnace is the heat exchangerand i know that mine is just about at the end of its average lifespan. The heat exchanger on a furnace is the section that keeps the combustion chamber and the breathing air separate 3. A damaged heat exchanger in a gas furnace is potentially dangerous to a homes occupants and should not be ignored. Other than this, there really isnt anything else that can definitively give you an answer. If you think you have a cracked heat exchanger, the best practice is to call a professional as soon as possible because a cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety issue. The american gas association has strict safety rules. Broken and leaking heat exchangers are responsible for about 1,500. Replaced trane gas furnace warranty heat exchanger duration. If my boss new i left a furnace running with a cracked heat exchanger id be looking for another job, co or no co, next week if the guy wakes up dead we could be held responsible.
Diagnosis of a heat exchanger crack typically starts with a noheat service call. 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. This is because air is leaking through the crack in the heat exchanger into the combustion. Oct 14, 2016 this one is about a crack i found in a heat exchanger that caused no symptoms. If you open up your furnace and see a black carbon buildup on the surfaces there, this is another sign that theres a. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training videos made to accompany my websites. This is dangerous, as one of the gases produced by the heat exchanger is carbon monoxide, a deadly. Signs and symptoms of a cracked gas furnace heat exchanger. My concern is the fact that mechanics walk past other potential carbon monoxide poisoning issues to get to heat exchanger inspection. Does the flame move as though air is passing over it.
Bob not only knows why cracks in heat exchangers sometimes develop, but he also. This is a requirement, is part of the fuel gas codes and is ultimately not negotiable. The result will be a buildup of soot around the crack site andor spots that are a darker color than the rest of the metal. In essence, it separates the airstream from the fire. The extra air will cause the oxygen reading to change notably. Having a cracked heat exchanger can have a very adverse effect on the overall performance of your home heating equipment. The main reason why a heat exchanger becomes cracked is due to the unit overheating. The appearance of a black carbon buildup on the furnace. The crack is open when the heat exchanger metal is at or close to room temperature. The combustion analyzer also helps us gauge the overall performance of your furnace. Oct 30, 2019 soot can leak out of your heat exchanger if theres a crack. Nov 05, 2019 what causes a heat exchanger to crack. Older furnaces can develop major issues, such as a cracked heat exchanger. A combustion analyzer gives us co and oxygen readings.
Over time, the heat exchanger can crack or separate, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the house. When a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, can it be. Diagnosis of a heat exchanger crack typically starts with a no heat service call. How to tell if your heat exchanger is cracked cowboys air. All too often, furnaces are grossly oversized or used incorrectly which causes the heat exchanger to fail prematurely. This one is about a crack i found in a heat exchanger that caused no symptoms.
A cracked heat exchanger allows air from the furnace blower to interfere with the flame causing it to flutter or even roll out. When you suspect the system may have an exchanger leak you can place a manometer probe in the exchanger and seal off the inletoutlet of the exchanger as best you. 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. Light a match and hold it up to each heat exchanger opening.
If the heat exchanger is cracked, the oxygen reading will change a lot when the blower turns on. This is why you should have a professional perform an inspection on a regular basis. If you are inspecting your heat exchanger for cracks, check the bends or weld areas first. The first is the potential for the furnace to catch fire and potentially spread to other parts in the home.
The heat exchanger is the furnace component that heats air. This trips a safety switch and shuts down the furnace. Cracks in the heat exchanger are a serious problem and one that should not be ignored both for the safety of your home and for the longevity of your furnace. In a normal gas furnace, the flame will usually appear blue. The heat exchanger is aptly named it collects air through the ventilation system and exchanges it to heat with the help of the furnace burners. If a heating contractor finds a cracked heat exchanger and says the furnace needs to be replaced, theyre not pulling a scam unless theyre just outright lying to you about finding a crack. Limited air flow if your furnace filter is dirty and hasnt been changed, or the furnace cant bring air into the unit because of furniture blocking return vents, your heat. Signs the heat exchanger in your home furnace is cracked. It is usually an indicator of more trouble in the future, and should not be taken lightly. 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. Soot can leak out of your heat exchanger if theres a crack. Even though your furnace may seem fine, dangerous gases leaking into your home is a serious detriment to your health and even a potentially lifethreatening situation.
If it is your heat exchanger, you cannot run your furnace, even if it. If there is evidence of soot buildup inside of the furnace, then its very possible that there could be a crack in the heat exchanger. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible. Located in the center of the furnace, it is where fire. In the winter months, we see an abundance of claims involving cracked heat exchangers.
Any change is an indication of a heat exchanger leak. Home warranties and cracks in your furnaces heat exchanger. Furnace heatexchanger crack signs your furnace has one. Next, turn on the blower and see if there is a change in the exchanger. I know that one of the most important parts of my furnace is the heat exchangerand i know that mine is just about at the end of its average lifespan. If you have a heat exchanger crack, you need to replace the heat exchanger or the furnace. Can you repair a cracked heat exchanger on a gas furnace. Broken heat exchanger pacific coast heating and air. A cracked heat exchanger is pretty serious, as far as safety for your home goes. Located in the center of the furnace, it is where fire, gas and heat connect. I recently had my ac checked out and the tech noticed and showed me that the heat exchanger had a couple cracks in it. Were you recently told that your furnace heat exchanger is cracked and needs to be replaced. For a good example of a hazardous heat exchanger, check out the photo below showing a large rust hole in the heat exchanger of this highefficiency furnace that was only ten years old.
A heat exchanger is made of thin metal, and as it heats up from the. More commonly, the cause of a cracked heat exchanger is misapplication or poor maintenance of the furnace. A heat exchanger is made of thin metal, and as it heats up from the combustion of the furnace, it transfers the heat to the air being distributed through the house by the blower 3. Cracks in the heat exchanger or fire box is no laughing matter. If a heatexchanger is cracked, air forced into the combustionchamber will cause the oxygen. The first is the potential for the furnace to catch fire and. I also know that even a tiny crack can kill a heat exchanger. Its the best way to examine your heat exchanger for cracks. He or she can use a combustion gas analyzer to determine if it is your heat exchanger or not. We use it to check co levels given in parts per million, or ppm and determine for sure whether theres a crack in.
Mar 19, 2007 the crack is open when the heat exchanger metal is at or close to room temperature. Proper diagnosis of a failed or cracked heat exchanger. A crack in your system heat exchanger exponentially increases the chances of a carbon monoxide leak into your homes air supply. Natural gas or propane is being burned and the byproduct of that process is energy in the form of heat, along with water vapor h2o, carbon dioxide co2, carbon monoxide co, carbon or soot.
I now theres probably thousands and thousands of furnaces out there with leaking heat exchangers and no co in the house but you cant take a chance nowadays. If theres a crack in this component, the gases being burned off, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide, could leak into your home, causing illness or, in extreme cases, death. Signs your heat exchanger is cracked romaniuk edmonton. Should i replace my heat exchanger or buy a new furnace. There are two major dangers with having a broken heat exchanger. These are the weak areas most likely to break first. If your heat exchanger is most likely the issue, its time to call in a professional.
Our recommendation on finding a crack in a heat exchanger will always be to replace the heat exchanger or the furnace it is in because your familys health and safety is far. 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. If there is a crack in the furnaces heat exchanger, there will be some signs and symptoms that are normally evident concerning the furnace. The heat exchanger is a key part of the furnace and is responsible for the actual heating of air. Air and gas are separated within the heat exchanger to prevent mixing and exposure to harmful combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide. Be on the watch for symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger like. A heat exchanger is the metal component in a furnace that allows for heat transfer. A normally operating gas furnace has a steady blue flame. If you open up your furnace and see a black carbon buildup on the surfaces there, this is another sign that theres a crack in your heat exchanger.
If the furnace isnt getting sufficient airflow, the exchanger gets too hot and literally cracks under the pressure of continual expanding and contracting. Often when cracks are present in a heat exchanger, soot from the combustion process will seep through and discolor the metal. Cracked heat exchangers generally produce a strong, unpleasant smell, similar to formaldehyde. If the heat ex changer is cracked, air is forced into the combustionchamber. How to determine if a furnace has a cracked heat exchanger 1. Aug 31, 2015 finding a crack in the heat exchanger duration. Dec 03, 2018 when you suspect the system may have an exchanger leak you can place a manometer probe in the exchanger and seal off the inletoutlet of the exchanger as best you can with the gas shut off obviously. I wrote a blog post many years ago discussing that topic, and the gist of my blog post was the same as whats stated on the comyths web site. Keep reading and well explain 3 things you probably do that reduce airflow. Bob not only knows why cracks in heat exchangers sometimes develop, but he also knows what homeowners should do when this problem occurs as well as how regular maintenance can help prevent it in the first place. The your heat exchanger is cracked so your furnace must be.
Beware of an unethical technician who finds a crack with a camera on a furnace that seems to be running just fine. Some holes or small openings may have been there for years. The heat exchanger is a metal container inside the furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. The cause of cracked heat exchangers avoid this common scam. The american gas association has even put this in writing they say any visible crack or hole is. The reason a crack in a heat exchanger is such a cause for concernand reason to think about replacing a furnaceis. Dec 02, 2015 proper diagnosis of a failed or cracked heat exchanger. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training videos made to accompany my.
When control valves become worn, the heat exchanger cant handle the changes in pressure. Nowadays, checking for a cracked heat exchanger is way more scientific. 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. Read our blog to learn what to do if this happens to you. In the video above the furnace techs says the oxygen reading could rise as high as. A look at a heat exchanger crack that cant be found youtube. However, if your furnace technician has found a crack in your heat exchanger, and your furnace is still relatively new, there could be some improper maintenance causes. So, with all that in mind, what i want to know is how can i tell if my heat exchanger is cracked. It is essential that property adjusters understand the. Through this crack, combustion fumes can escape from the exchanger, and can build up in the room.
The service technician has the time, experience, or even reason to suspect the exchanger is cracked. Jan, 2020 having a cracked heat exchanger can have a very adverse effect on the overall performance of your home heating equipment. Its like the doctor that finds cancer it might not be good news, but it. But first, heres why this causes the heat exchanger to crack. Used permatex red to replace gasket to secondary heat. It is a set of metal tubes or coils that connects to the burner assembly and ends at. Mar 11, 20 our recommendation on finding a crack in a heat exchanger will always be to replace the heat exchanger or the furnace it is in because your familys health and safety is far too important to make guesses and assumptions about how dangerous this crack may or may not be. Why reducing airflow over the heat exchanger cracks. 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. This is because air is leaking through the crack in the heat exchanger into the combustion chamber. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the meter will show us. Inside of your furnace or boiler there is actually a fire burning. 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. Natural gas or propane is being burned and the byproduct of that process is.
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