Understanding The Dangers Of A Cracked Heat Exchanger

A cracked heat exchanger represents one of the most serious furnace problems you can face. Yet many homeowners fail to understand even the basic information about this issue. If you would like to improve your knowledge of furnace repair techniques, read on. This article will discuss the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger, as well as what a professional can do to fix the problem. 

The Heat Exchanger 

As its name would imply, the heat exchanger is where heat is passed from your air inside your furnace to the air that circulates throughout your home. In this process of effecting this transfer, the metal heat exchanger is exposed to large swings in temperature. These swings can place a lot of stress on the metal–stress that will eventually lead to the formation of cracks and holes. This will decrease your furnace’s efficiency, while also allowing potentially deadly exhaust fumes to escape into your home. 

Inspecting A Heat Exchanger For Damage 

It is vital that you have a professional furnace technician inspect your heat exchanger for damage on a regular basis. There are a number of ways that cracks and holes can be detected. If large enough, they may be visible to the naked eye. In many cases, however, they are too small to detect in this manner. In that case, the furnace technician will utilize one or more crack identification tests. 

Repairing A Cracked Heat Exchanger 

Depending on the severity of the crack, one of two follow-up strategies may be employed. If the crack is too large–or if it is accompanied by excessive amounts of internal corrosion–the heat exchanger will likely need to be replaced. Yet small cracks can often be repaired by welding a metal patch over the damaged area. 

If you would like to have a professional inspect and evaluate your heat exchanger for signs of damage, feel free to contact the experts at Wayne Price Heating & Air Conditioning.