There are about one hundred things that could go wrong with your furnace. It is filled with mechanical parts that work together to generate the heat your home needs to be comfortable in the winter. When something isn’t working in harmony with the others, it can cause issues with your entire system. One problem that shouldn’t be ignored is a cracked heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is the heart of your furnace. It is the part that burns the gas to generate heat. North Country Aire is here to talk about what happens when your heat exchanger is cracked and why that is a big deal.

Dangers in a Cracked Heat Exchanger

The biggest threat to your safety in regard to your furnace is a cracked heat exchanger. Because combustion happens in this part of your furnace, if there isn’t a way for the byproducts to exhaust out of the house, it can allow those byproducts to seep into your home. The most dangerous byproduct of the heat exchanger is carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless gas is deadly when inhaled. With a crack in your exchanger, this can be a real risk to your home.

Signs Your Heat Exchanger is Cracked

When you aren’t an HVAC professional, it may be difficult to know what to look for as you inspect for a cracked heat exchanger. Here are some of the signs that point to a problem with your heat exchanger:
– Carbon Monoxide Detector: You should have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home to notify you if there is any trace of carbon monoxide in your home. If your carbon monoxide detectors are going off, this isn’t something you should ignore. When looking for the culprit, your furnace is one of the first places to check.
– Soot: Because combustion takes place in the heat exchanger, if there is a crack, then some black soot will leak out and settle all over the heat exchanger. You will see black all over the inside of your furnace if this is the case.
– Furnace Isn’t Working: Another big sign that there is something amiss is a furnace that won’t work. When there is a crack or break in your heat exchanger it has likely triggered a safety sensor inside the furnace that doesn’t allow the furnace to work. This is in place to ensure you aren’t in danger when a serious issue like this is present.
– Yellow, Weak Flame: The pilot flame inside your furnace is there to help your furnace heat properly. If the flame isn’t blue but is yellow instead, this is a sign that there is a combustion problem. Your flame should be bright blue and strong.

Boiler & Furnace Heating Inspection, Troubleshooting, Diagnosis, Repair, Tune Up Maintenance & More in Mora, Cambridge, St. Francis, Oak Grove, North Branch & Greater Isanti, Minnesota

If you have noticed some of the signs listed above in your furnace, you can turn to North Country Aire to help you get to the bottom of the problem. We will handle all of your furnace repairs and replacements. Call us today!