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How serious is a cracked heat exchanger?

Jim Brown

How serious is a cracked heat exchanger?

A cracked heat exchanger is pretty serious, as far as safety for your home goes. If there’s a crack in this component, the gases being burned off, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide, could leak into your home, causing illness or, in extreme cases, death.

Will a cracked heat exchanger symptoms?

When your heat exchanger is defective, it may give off an eye-watering chemical scent. This could be the first thing you notice. The smell may be accompanied by other physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea. This is an indicator of harmful chemicals entering your house.

Do all heat exchangers crack?

Overheating causes nearly all premature heat exchanger cracks. When a furnace cannot get enough airflow, the heat exchanger overheats and suffers excess stress from expansion and contraction. Over time, the heat stress causes cracks near weak areas such as bends or welds.

What do you need to know about a cracked heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger acts as a collection station for combustible gas and allows the gas to make the air reach a boiling hot temperature. If your heat exchanger has cracks, these cracks cause your furnace to perform inefficiently. Watch for the following specific signs pointing to cracks in your heat exchanger: 1. The Furnace Flame No Longer Looks Blue

What causes a heat exchanger to overheat?

When a furnace cannot get enough airflow, the heat exchanger overheats and suffers excess stress from expansion and contraction. Over time, the heat stress causes cracks near weak areas such as bends or welds. The most common cause of an overheated heat exchanger is as simple as a dirty air filter.

What happens to carbon monoxide when heat exchanger cracks?

Very few, if any, furnaces with a typical small crack or hole in the heat exchanger show elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Even if the carbon monoxide levels become elevated, the CO goes up the flue with the rest of the products of combustion. (See this Laclede Gas FAQ, question 8.)

How much does it cost to replace a heat exchanger?

Without a warranty, a heat exchanger replacement could run as much as $2,000 (more than the cost of a new entry-level furnace). The problem with replacing a heat exchanger is that the central cause of the problem is not addressed. In my opinion, heat exchanger failure is usually due to the furnace being oversized for the house or the duct work.

How serious is a cracked heat exchanger?

Jim Brown

How serious is a cracked heat exchanger?

A cracked heat exchanger is pretty serious, as far as safety for your home goes. If there’s a crack in this component, the gases being burned off, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide, could leak into your home, causing illness or, in extreme cases, death.

Can a cracked heat exchanger cause a fire?

Furnace Fires Carbon monoxide poisoning is not the only possible danger a cracked heat exchanger presents. If combustible gas builds up in your heating unit and is released into your home through a fracture, it can lead to a potentially deadly furnace fire.

Does a cracked heat exchanger make noise?

If you have a crack in the heat exchanger, you’ll likely hear a rattling noise seconds after your thermostat clicks to turn on the heat. That’s because the heat exchanger is made out of metal, so when it’s heated, any cracks in it may start to expand, causing a rattling noise.

What are the signs of a cracked heat exchanger?

Six Signs Your Furnace Heat Exchanger May be Cracked

  • Strange smells. A malfunctioning heat exchanger will often create an unpleasant and strong odor that smells similar to formaldehyde.
  • Soot Build-up.
  • Corrosion & Cracks.
  • Change in the flame appearance.
  • Audible Sounds.
  • Presence of Carbon Monoxide.

How long does it take to replace a carrier heat exchanger?

Cost to Replace Heat Exchanger On average, you’ll spend $400 to $600 in labor alone. Expect it’ll cost $75 to $125 per hour per technician to replace the exchanger. The entire job takes 5 to 8 hours.

How much does it cost to replace an electric heat exchanger?

Electric furnaces don’t have heat exchangers. You can’t repair residential heat exchangers. Once cracked, you’ll need to replace it for an average of $1,500. If it cracks after the warranty is up, usually at least 20 years, consider replacing the entire furnace. The crack allows the release of dangerous carbon monoxide into the air.

Is there a way to repair a cracked heat exchanger?

Note: There is no way to repair a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace. It must be replaced, or the entire furnace needs to be replaced. If the furnace is more than 8 years old or the replacement is no longer in warranty, it’s best to get furnace replacement quotes at the same time.

Can a heat exchanger be replaced in an attic?

Furnace Location – Making the replacement on a furnace that is easy to access is difficult enough. When the furnace is in an attic or crawlspace, very few contractors will agree to replace the heat exchanger. If they do, estimates might exceed the cost of a new furnace. Material – Stainless steel units cost more than other steel types.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace core?

Materials: a typical heat exchanger costs $300-$500. Older furnaces may have heat exchangers that are harder to find, and therefore, more expensive. Labor: most HVAC contractors charge $85-$95 per hour and will typically take 6-8 hours to replace a heater core 1.