Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Furnace in South Point, OH

Winters in South Point can be terribly cold, so homeowners here can’t go without a working furnace. But what if your furnace makes weird noises or won’t turn on at all? There’s a chance that your unit could have a cracked heat exchanger.

Below, learn the signs of a crack in the heat exchanger in your furnace, then call us for heating services in South Point, OH.

Why Do Heat Exchangers Crack in South Point, OH?

Before we dive into the reasons why heat exchangers crack, it’s helpful to know what this component of your heating system does. The heat exchanger is in the combustion chamber, which produces very hot gases. These gases flow over the heat exchanger, and a fan blows air over the exchanger walls. The fan then pushes warm air throughout your home via its ductwork.

Heat exchangers can crack for many reasons, the most common of which is old age. Each heating cycle causes the heat exchanger to expand and contract, which can cause it to eventually crack.

A heat exchanger can also crack if you frequently neglect to change the air filter. If the filter gets clogged, it can cause the furnace to overheat, eventually leading to a heating system malfunction.

Signs of a Crack in the Heat Exchanger in Your Furnace

Will your furnace give you any signs that the heat exchanger has gone bad? Yes, but they can be subtle. Here are the most common signs of a crack in the heat exchanger in your furnace.

The Furnace Stops Working

In some cases, when the heat exchanger cracks, your furnace will stop blowing warm air or quit working altogether. This is highly frustrating, especially on a frigid winter day, but it’s best to think of it as a good thing.

If your furnace were to keep running with a cracked heat exchanger, you’d have a serious carbon monoxide risk on your hands. Carbon monoxide could build up in your home to the point that it sickens you or causes an explosion.

Weird Noises and Bad Smells

It’s normal for your furnace to make a few noises every now and then. But if you hear loud banging, screeching, or any other alarming, repetitive noise, something is seriously amiss with your system. Broken heat exchangers make a constant rattling noise when the system kicks on.

A foul chemical smell is a dead giveaway of a broken heat exchanger. When a heat exchanger cracks, it’ll give off an unpleasant odor similar to formaldehyde.

Soot Buildup

Soot belongs in your fireplace, not in or around your furnace. If you spot soot building up on the outside of your furnace, it indicates that the unit can’t complete the combustion process. The more soot you see, the worse the crack in the heat exchanger in your furnace is.

Soot is easy to spot. Look for a fine coating of black powder on your furnace. You might also see soot on the floor or walls around the furnace.

Physical Damage and Pilot Light Changes

A furnace in good shape should never have corrosion or visible cracks. If you spot large cracks or patches of rust on your furnace, it’s a sign that the heat exchanger is cracked and has been damaged for quite some time. Call an HVAC tech in South Point for furnace heat exchanger repair right away.

Check your furnace’s pilot light, too. The flame should always be blue. If it’s yellow or orange, there’s something wrong with the combustion process.

Flu-Like Symptoms

Do you feel sick and rundown while inside your home, but better once you get some fresh air? This is a big sign that your furnace’s heat exchanger has cracked and the unit is releasing carbon monoxide into your home.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, and headaches. It can also spark a fire or explosion. If you think your furnace is releasing carbon monoxide, call us for help immediately.