When you get a crack of any size in a heat exchanger it should be a concern for your family and their health.
A heat exchanger is designed to allow your HVAC system to run more efficiently by exchanging heat between two different liquids (gases). Depending on the system, it uses the by-products of the systems operations to act as a heater or coolant.
An issue develops when the furnace burns one substance to create more heat and there is a crack. Sometimes harmful chemicals are released through the crack including pure carbon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. These chemicals may cause health issues in small doses and can be fatal in extreme exposures.
When you notice a crack, whether it is big or small you should call a service technician right away. Usually, a cracked heat exchanger will just need a replacement. In some extreme cases, heat exchanger’s entire system would need to be placed. It is highly recommended that you consult with a licensed HVAC technician for guidance.
A small crack can cause a lot of consequences for your home if you don’t prevent it in time. The cracks in a heat exchanger can get worse when your HVAC system starts a cycle. The different temperatures flowing through the heat exchanger can force it to shrink and expand. The exchanger is most vulnerable to cracks when there are extreme temperatures outside. Being proactive is the best way to prevent this from occurring. We recommend that you limit the using extreme and limiting cycles to your system.
Also be cautious when your system settings are improperly set to meet your home’s requirements. When this happens it may run an inefficient amount of cycles and cause premature wear and tear.
These two scenarios can be prevented by doing regular maintenance on your furnace.
The next time you have your HVAC Service technicians out, ask them to diagnose these problems. They will create more an efficient setting for your system and identify any potential airflow issues within the system. Sometimes it can be as basic as using a different or new filter to help with air flow.
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