Even though we don’t have to deal with cold temperatures for too many months out of the year here in Vegas, thank heavens we have a furnace to keep us warm when we need it. When something goes wrong with your furnace, you want it fixed as soon as possible. There are several things that can break on a furnace and one of those components is the heat exchanger. Hal Mechanical is here to share the signs that are present when your heat exchanger is cracked.
What is a Furnace Heat Exchanger?
The heat exchanger in your furnace is one of the main parts of your furnace. It is responsible for actually heating the air before it is distributed throughout your home. It consists of several tubes or coils that heats the air as it flows around it. A crack in the exchanger means that there are dangerous gases that are filling the air in your home. Carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide are all gases that could cause serious health problems, including death if it isn’t caught soon enough.
How to Identify a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger
There are several signs that may be present when you have a crack in your heat exchanger. Some signs to watch out for include:
– Corrosion: As your furnace ages, you may start to see signs of wear and tear by the presence of corrosion. When you notice this corrosion on the outside of the unit, there is more than likely corrosion on the inside as well. Corrosion can be a sign that there has been exposure to fumes emitting chloride.
– Soot: Anytime you notice black soot on your furnace, it is a sign that the fuel isn’t burning clean and there is an issue. The burners may need to be adjusted or you have a crack in your heat exchanger.
– Odors: A lot of the time, when there is something wrong with your heat exchanger, you will smell an unpleasant odor much like formaldehyde. This can be combined with physical symptoms like headaches and nausea. If this is the case, call a professional right away.
– Leaking Water: You shouldn’t find water at the base of your unit. While this may be normal with your AC unit, it is not with your furnace. This is most likely a problem with your heat exchanger and needs to be fixed right away.
Death from a Cracked Heat Exchanger?
Not only will your furnace not function properly if you have a cracked heat exchanger, but carbon monoxide poisoning is a real threat. If you start to feel headaches, dizziness, nausea or other flu-like symptoms that are corresponding with any of the issues listed above, you need help right away. Carbon monoxide poisoning is nothing that you want to mess with. At Hal Mechanical, we will respond quickly to your call for help, and work efficiently to solve the problem so your home is comfortable.
Furnace Tune Ups, Repairs, Replacement & More in Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
A red tagged furnace means that a utility company inspector or HVAC technician has found a critical safety problem with the heating unit (usually a cracked or damaged heat exchanger) and the furnace must be shut down until the damage is repaired or the furnace replaced. Scheduling regular tune-ups with Hal Mechanical where we can check the heat exchanger of your furnace for cracks, clean your system and repair any issues that could lead to cracks can help prevent them. Call us today!
