Carbon monoxide, the poisonous, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas responsible for more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room every year, can pose a danger from unanticipated sources in your home, including fireplaces.
A furnace’s heat exchanger is a metal component that transfers heat from the fuel being burned while preventing the air in your home from mixing with the furnace exhaust. Sometimes the heat exchanger fails, either from cracks caused by regular expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling of the metal, or from rust. When a heat exchanger fails—under certain conditions—the exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, can mix with the air in the house. A properly operating furnace should not create significant levels of carbon monoxide; however, a cracked or leaking heat exchanger can pose a safety risk.
A cracked heat exchanger could let exhaust gas from the furnace to contaminate the household air with exhaust gases including carbon monoxide. In order for this to happen, the furnace must be giving off high levels of carbon monoxide and the exhaust gas must be mixing with the household air. This could lead to serious illness and even death.
Beyond a visual inspection to diagnose a crack, there are a few warnings of a potential problem with your heat exchanger that you may notice. If you turn the heat on and the flames flicker and appear devilish, this could be a sign that circulated air from the furnace is getting into the combustion area and you should have it inspected by an HVAC technician. Although you certainly hope it doesn’t reach this point, other signals of trouble include carbon monoxide detectors sounding and you or your family members feeling sick, lightheaded or nauseous. To ensure the safety of all occupants, all homes should have a operational carbon monoxide detector and batteries should be replaced regularly.
Service Experts’ ACE-certified technicians have received specialized training in diagnosing a cracked heat exchanger. As standard practice and in addition to physically observing the presence of a hole or crack, cameras are used. Whenever possible, the technician will show customers the failed heat exchanger—or at least a photo of it—so they can see for themselves. Additionally, an expert technician will test both the home and furnace for carbon monoxide. A properly operating furnace should not create significant levels of carbon monoxide. The technician will then warn the customers of the dangers associated with the failed part and provide professional advice regarding next steps.
Once you have a confirmed diagnosis from an expert, your initial question will likely be whether the part can be repaired or if replacement is the only option. Unfortunately, the industry standard is that the heat exchanger must be replaced. In fact, the American Gas Association says that any visible crack or hole is reason for requiring replacement of the heat exchanger or furnace.
While it may end up making sense to replace the furnace as opposed to only the heat exchanger, that is not always the case. Furnace warranties can vary—most furnaces have a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger, while some are covered for 20 years or even for the life of the furnace. Our technicians will help you investigate the warranty on your heat exchanger and provide all the information you need to decide if replacing the heat exchanger or the entire furnace is right for you.
Atmostemp Service Experts suggests changing your carbon monoxide detectors every five years and checking your carbon monoxide detectors monthly to make sure the batteries and alarm are working efficiently. And by keeping up with the regular maintenance of your equipment, you will have peace of mind knowing that it’s going to be safe. If you suspect a problem with your heat exchanger or need to have an analysis of carbon monoxide levels in your home, call Atmostemp Service Experts today at 856-310-4824 or schedule an appointment online.
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for years. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your educational journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh the... Continue reading
If you’d like to replace your old furnace, don’t move forward thinking a new furnace is your only choice. This may be the go-to choice for most North American households, but heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the right fit for everyone?... Continue reading
If you’re thinking about upgrading your furnace, an important first step is to decide on an efficiency rating. This will influence your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating down the road. Use this guide to learn more about AFUE ratings and how they affect you. What Is an AFUE... Continue reading
There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
