It is great that we no longer have to try to keep ourselves warm by lighting up a fire in the middle of our living rooms, or in each room. The safety, comfort, and efficiency that we get to enjoy thanks to modern heating systems like the furnace are pretty incredible when compared to anything that was used to provide comfort 200 years ago.
With that said, your furnace isn’t perfect. It will eventually need repairs and while some repairs are relatively simple, there are others that are best addressed by a professional as quickly as possible. Why? Because there is one repair need in particular that your furnace can develop that is flat out dangerous.
This is your reminder that a cracked heat exchanger is not a furnace malfunction to be ignored.
What is a Heat Exchanger?
Your heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that is essentially responsible for creating heat. When your furnace burns the natural gas it is given, the combustion gases flowing into the metal heat exchanger. The heat exchanger then warms up and the heat transfers from the metal to the air surrounding it which is then blown into your house.
Why a Cracked Heat Exchanger Is Dangerous
You may have already guessed this but we want to make clear the reason why having a cracked heat exchanger is a problem. As we just described, your furnace funnels a lot of combustion gases into your heat exchanger, which includes things like carbon monoxide. So, when your heat exchanger develops a crack, all those gases can escape from your furnace and go into your house, presenting a problem to both your comfort and your health.
Signs You Need to Contact a Professional
A cracked heat exchanger is obviously a serious problem that should be addressed sooner than later. The question that remains is how exactly you can figure out that you should have your furnace checked for this issue by a professional. There are a few signs you should know:
- A rattling noise: A crack in your heat exchanger will expand as it heats up, creating a rattling noise in your furnace.
- Reduced heating power: If the combustion gases in your furnace are leaking out of the heat exchanger, they won’t create much heat for you to enjoy.
- The smell of gas or sulfur: The scent of gas or sulfur (rotten eggs) is a strong indicator of a gas leak.
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide sickness: Headaches, blurry vision, fatigue, and nausea are all bad signs of CO sickness.
If you suspect that you have a cracked heat exchanger, don’t delay in taking action. Turn off your furnace and crack your windows first; then reach out to a trained professional like the ones at Avis for repairs.
The next time you need a trained HVAC technician to take care of your furnace repair service in Anaheim, CA, make sure to contact Avis Home Solutions. Every job is professionally done with exceptional customer service.
