How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

Your helpful neighbor suggested the issue you are having with your gas furnace sounds like it could be due to a cracked heat exchanger. What is a heat exchanger? How can you tell if this is the issue? What should you do about it?

Do not ignore the possibility!

You don’t have to fully trust your neighbor; that’s what ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning is for—a reliable heating and cooling company serving the greater Lemont, IL,, area to help you diagnose what is going on with your gas furnace.

Our experienced furnace repair technicians will inspect and diagnose your furnace issue and resolve the concerns you are having.

Cracked Heat Exchanger Risks

A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace is a serious safety issue. Dangerous gases could leak into your Lemont, IL,, home and can be fatal.

If you suspect your heat exchanger is cracked or your furnace is showing signs of needing repair, call ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning, and one of our specially trained professionals will immediately assess your furnace’s situation.

Why Is the Heat Exchanger So Crucial?

A gas furnace’s heat exchanger is the furnace component that actually heats the air. It is composed of a set of tubes that repeatedly loop through the airflow inside the furnace.

If this component cracks, the gases being burned off—such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide—could leak into your Illinois home and cause illness or, in extreme cases, death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental carbon monoxide poisoning results in at least 420 fatalities and over 100,000 hospitalizations in the United States every year.

Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger the Issue?

Here are five signs indicating you may have a cracked or malfunctioning heat exchanger:

1.   Soot near or inside your furnace

If you see evidence of soot, which is actually a black carbon buildup, on the inside of the furnace, it is a sign that your furnace is not burning cleanly.

Incomplete combustion usually causes an increase in soot. The cause is usually improperly adjusted burners or a cracked heat exchanger.

2.   Corrosion and/or cracks on other furnace components

When other external parts of your furnace start showing signs of wear and tear, it is highly possible that the internal parts are also beginning to wear. Stress cracks are pretty common and can happen with the expanding and contracting of components during heating and cooling.

Additionally, components can become corroded from exposure to fumes emitting chloride or moisture from other sources.

3.   Strange smells coming from your furnace

Often, a malfunctioning heat exchanger creates a strong and unpleasant odor similar to formaldehyde. It can give you headaches as well as other physical symptoms.

If you smell anything similar to formaldehyde, contact our ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning team immediately. We will send one of our experienced pros to evaluate your heat exchanger.

4.   Water pooling on the floor near the heater

If you find water on the floor at the base of your furnace and you do not have a furnace condensation issue, it is likely your heat exchanger. Only a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional can help determine the source of the issue.

5.   Physical ailments when the heater is running

If you or other family members experience continual recurring headaches or flu-like symptoms, this could indicate a cracked heat exchanger. Leaking combustion gases would be the culprit.

Recurring nose and/or eye irritation, sleepiness, disorientation, and nausea would also all fall under this source umbrella. Be sure your Illinois home’s carbon monoxide sensor is in good working order with a fresh battery.

This poisonous gas, along with the other burned-off gases (sulfur dioxide and nitrous dioxide), could be the problem, leaking from your heat exchanger. Be sure to note if the symptoms start and stop when you arrive at and leave your home. If they do, get your furnace inspected immediately.

What Should You Do About a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

If your heat exchanger is most likely the issue, it is time to call in one of our ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning professionals. We can use a combustion gas analyzer and camera to determine whether it is your heat exchanger.

This is the most effective process for providing a definitive answer. If it is your heat exchanger, you cannot run your furnace, even if it seems to be operating well. The gases will continue to seep into your Lemont, IL,, home’s air.

Most reputable companies will disable your furnace upon finding a cracked heat exchanger, preventing further use. Every cracked heat exchanger needs to be replaced, either by replacing the heat exchanger itself or by replacing the entire furnace.

When faced with this decision, consider the age of your unit. If your system is older than 10 to 12 years, you may want to replace the entire furnace. A furnace typically lasts 15 to 20 years, so repairs this late in its life may not be cost-effective in the long term.

Based on the average cost of replacing the heat exchanger, investing in a new furnace rather than simply buying the heat exchanger might be the better solution. If you forgo replacing your furnace at this point, you may still find yourself in the same situation in a few years, requiring a complete replacement.

Trust ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning for Furnace Repairs

In the Lemont, IL,, area, contact ComforTemp Heating & Air Conditioning when you need a furnace repair—especially a possible cracked heat exchanger. Our highly knowledgeable and skilled HVAC team members can answer any questions you may have and promptly assist you.

Call us today at (630) 425-6943 or schedule service online for all your heating and cooling needs. Our trustworthy team brings years of experience and expertise to every call.