Be Careful with Cracked Heat Exchanger

One of the key components of any furnace is the heat exchanger, the area where the air is heated and then sent throughout your home. If there is a problem, such as a crack or corrosion, dangerous fumes containing carbon monoxide can get into your ducts and cause serious health problems – or even death. The experts with Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® want to make sure you stay safe, so we want to share the warning signs that may indicate your heat exchanger needs to be checked.

Why Cracks Happen

The most common reason for a cracked heat exchanger is overheating. If a furnace cannot get a good enough flow of air, the heat exchanger will overheat, suffering excessive stress when it expands and contracts. Something as simple as a dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the point where a crack occurs.

Overheating can also take place if your furnace is too large. We see many cases of homes that don’t have sufficient ductwork for the size of furnace that exists. As a result, air cannot flow properly, causing stress that can lead to a cracked heat exchanger.

Corrosion is another common reason that a heat exchanger can be compromised. If your furnace is over-sized, it will heat your home so fast that it will shut off after just a few minutes. Water vapor from a furnace’s flame condenses on a heat exchanger. When it doesn’t run for the proper amount of time, the water doesn’t evaporate. When this happens, of course, rust can form from the inside out, eventually leading to corrosion.

Take Action as Soon as You Can

If you have any reason to suspect you have a cracked or corroded heat exchanger, call Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® at (763) 284-8639 or contact us online as soon as you can. We’ll send someone out to make sure your system is running smoothly and safely.