The cost of replacing a heat exchanger ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. Replacing your furnace’s heat exchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new. However, it is not worth spending your money on replacing your heat exchanger when it is near the end of its life span, which is ten years or more.
How do I know if my furnace has a broken 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.
What happens when heat exchanger fails?
The problem is that all heat exchangers will eventually fail, developing holes or cracks that allow those poisonous gases to leak out and contaminate your home’s air. These leaks can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. In fact, cracked heat exchangers are one of the major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in homes.
Can a heat exchanger be replaced in a furnace?
You can’t repair or replace a heat exchanger because there’s too big a risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. It’s also cost-prohibitive. That’s why you need to replace the entire furnace. But, that’s what happens if your HVAC tech determines you have a cracked heat exchanger.
What causes a cracked heat exchanger?
What is the cause of heat exchanger cracks? Overheating causes nearly all premature heat exchanger cracks. A clogged air filter restricts airflow through the furnace, overheating the heat exchanger, and eventually resulting in stress cracks. An over-sized furnace can also cause overheating and heat exchanger cracks.
Can a cracked heat exchanger cause a fire?
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.
What would cause a heat exchanger to crack?
What is the cause of heat exchanger cracks? 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.
How often do heat exchangers fail?
A gas furnace heat exchanger should last a good 10-20 years, but it will eventually fail. That’s because of the way your furnace works. Metal expands when it’s heated and contracts when it cools. Over time, the cycle of expansion and contraction can cause metal fatigue.
How do you fix a broken heat exchanger?
The best way to repair a cracked heat exchanger is to remove it and put in a new one. This doesn’t require replacing other parts of the furnace. However, it’s an expensive repair. Often a repair that’s too expensive compared to having a new furnace put in.
What causes furnace heat exchanger to crack?
Does a cracked heat exchanger always leak carbon monoxide?
“A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger will definitely produce carbon monoxide and poses an immediate danger”. (This is incorrect!) They’ve never tested this and they don’t understand how air flows through a furnace. Their information is not based on fact.
Can you run a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger?
Many companies, upon finding a cracked heat exchanger, will shut your furnace down so you cannot run it. Every cracked heat exchanger needs to be replaced, either by replacing the heat exchanger itself or by replacing the entire furnace.
What are the signs of a broken heat exchanger?
Here are some signs that may indicate your issue is a cracked or malfunctioning heat exchanger: Soot. If you see evidence of soot, which is actually a black carbon buildup, on the inside of the furnace, it’s a sign your furnace isn’t burning cleanly. Incomplete combustion usually causes an increase in soot.
What is a heat exchanger and how does it work?
A heat exchanger is one of the components in a gas furnace that heats air to warm your home during cold days. The system comprises a series of coils and tubes that consistently loops to heat air that flows through it. The heat exchanger system begins at the furnace’s burner assembly and ends when the furnace connects to the chimney vent.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace heat exchanger?
For instance, you can replace the entire furnace if it has lasted for about 15-20 years. To replace a new heat exchanger, you need around $600-$1,200 to buy and install the replacement. So, fixing a new heat exchanger in an old furnace will not be worth the price. Otherwise, the furnace can break down when the heat exchanger is still new.
