Your Avondale home’s heating system contains multiple components working together to produce reliable warmth when you need it the most. If any of those components fail, not only will your home be colder than you’d like, but your family could be in danger.
Case in point? A crack in the heat exchanger in the furnace is a serious issue that requires immediate attention from trustworthy heating repair services in Avondale, AZ.
What Is a Heat Exchanger and What Does It Do?
The heat exchanger helps the furnace produce heat and keeps the system safe.
Your home’s furnace has a combustion chamber that creates heat. However, the process also creates byproducts called flue gasses, a toxic mix of chemicals and gasses (including carbon monoxide) that aren’t safe to breathe.
To address furnace safety concerns, the heat exchanger, which is essentially a metal box inside the furnace absorbs the heat created in the combustion chamber and directs it to breathable air, which flows into the ducts to warm your home. The flue gasses escape outside, where they dissipate without causing any danger.
However, over time, heat exchangers can deteriorate from the expansion and contraction inherent in the heating process. This can cause a crack in the heat exchanger in the furnace. A crack (or cracks) allows the flue gasses to escape the combustion chamber and enter the fresh air supply, which then releases them into your Avondale home.
Signs of Heat Exchanger Crack
Damage to a heat exchanger isn’t typically obvious right away. Cracks can be small, and it’s only when furnace malfunction symptoms appear that you might suspect an issue.
Some of the most common signs of heat exchanger cracks include:
- Unusual smells when running the heat
- Soot buildup inside the component
- Rust accumulation on the furnace exterior
Unfortunately, the most problematic element of a crack in a heat exchanger in a furnace, a carbon monoxide leak, is the most difficult to spot. The odorless and colorless gas can make your family severely ill before you realize there’s a problem with your heating system.
This underscores the importance of keeping working carbon monoxide detectors in your home to alert you to a problem. If the alarm sounds, leave your home and call 911, and don’t return until you receive the all-clear.
Dealing With a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Avondale, AZ
When you discover furnace heat exchanger issues, you cannot wait to solve the problem. The health concerns that come with running a damaged furnace far outweigh anything else, as carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
Avondale, AZ, HVAC professionals only have two heat exchanger repair options: replace the part or replace the entire furnace. It’s possible to install a new heat exchanger, but it’s a time-consuming and expensive job and best for relatively new furnaces.
If the unit is over 10 years old, replacement is the best way to deal with a crack in a heat exchanger in a furnace. The typical heater lasts between 10 and 15 years, and the expense of replacing a heat exchanger isn’t much different than buying a new one. Not to mention, investing in a new furnace can provide additional benefits, like improved energy efficiency, making it a smarter long-term financial choice.
Preventing Heat Exchanger Issues
Regardless of your furnace’s age, regular maintenance and inspections are critical to preventing and catching issues with critical parts like the heat exchanger. Although it’s impossible to completely prevent the part from deteriorating, taking care of your furnace can reduce wear and tear and the likelihood of having this type of issue.
At the very least, the fact that you may not realize there’s a problem until it makes you and your family sick should serve as a reminder of furnace inspection importance. To ensure your family’s well-being, have a professional make sure everything’s in good working condition before you turn on the heat for the first time.
Keep Your Avondale Home Heating System Safe With Help from Mountainside Air
Whether it’s time to schedule an annual maintenance visit or you suspect a crack in the heat exchanger in the furnace, Mountainside Air is here to help you keep your Avondale, AZ, home safe and warm. Our top-rated technicians will make sure your equipment is in optimal condition, provide tips to clean the furnace, and offer advice on how to spot signs of trouble before they cause safety risks. Make an appointment today, and enjoy worry-free warmth this winter. Trust us to help.