Does your furnace have a cracked heat exchanger? Even if it’s just a hairline crack, you shouldn’t run it. Running a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is dangerous. Rather, you’ll need to get the heat exchanger replaced if it’s cracked. Only then will you be able to safely run your furnace.
Overview of the Heat Exchanger
All gas furnaces have a heat exchanger. Along with a combustion chamber, it’s one of several essential parts that gas furnaces use to generate heat.
When your furnace is running, a mixture of gas and air will burn inside of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is directly connected to the heat exchanger. The hot flue gases created in the combustion chamber will enter the inner passages of the heat exchanger. As a result, the heat exchanger will become hot. The blower will then force air over the heat exchanger to pick up this heat before distributing it throughout your home.
The Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger
Heat exchangers are made of metal. They consist of metal fins with hollow passages inside of them. The metal fins, unfortunately, may crack when neglected or otherwise not properly maintained.
You shouldn’t run your furnace if it has a cracked heat exchanger. Doing so can be dangerous because it will leak flue gases into your home. Flue gases are the byproduct of combustion. When gas is burned, certain gases like carbon monoxide are produced. Collectively known as flue gases, they are typically contained within the heat exchanger.
Flue gases are produced inside of the combustion chamber. To generate heat, flue gases will enter the heat exchanger where they are then vented outside of your home. A cracked heat exchanger, though, means flue gases may leak into your home’s interior. Rather than being vented outside of your home, the flue gases will leak out through the cracked heat exchanger. The blower will pick up these flue gases while sending them into the ductwork.
Solutions for a Cracked Heat Exchanger
Repairing a cracked heat exchanger typically isn’t an option. Instead, you’ll need to replace it. You can hire a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician to replace the cracked heat exchanger with a new one.
You can always replace your entire furnace as well. If your furnace is older than 20 years, you may want to replace it. It will cost more to replace the furnace than just the heat exchanger. With that said, a new furnace will offer cost-savings benefits in the form of a more energy-efficient operation.