It’s true that all of the components inside your HVAC system are equally important. Each one has to work together to produce heat for your home in the winter and cool air in the summer. But, when it comes to heating your home, the heat exchanger is arguably one of the more high-profile components. Without the heat exchanger, nothing else inside your heater matters.
Other components are easy to tighten, fix, or replace when something goes wrong. But if you develop a crack in your heat exchanger, it’s a very serious matter. If you suspect that you have a cracked heat exchanger, you may need furnace repair in Rochester Hills, MI. Don’t ignore the signs of a cracked heat exchanger, because it can lead to dangerous consequences. Keep reading to learn more about why a cracked heat exchanger is no laughing matter.
Dangers of Heat Exchanger Cracks
If your heat exchanger develops a crack, it cannot simply be repaired. The heat exchanger needs to be completely replaced, and it is such an expensive component that it might make more sense to replace your entire heating unit. A heater replacement can be a large and expensive project, so you definitely want to take care of your heat exchanger and avoid cracks.
If your heat exchanger does crack, dangerous gases like carbon monoxide can leak out into your home. Your heat exchanger works to heat air by the funneling dangerous fumes away from your home and keeping the heated air inside your home. Without the heat exchanger working properly, fumes and heated air mixed together. These fumes pose health risks because breathing in carbon monoxide can make you and your family very sick. But fumes also pose fire hazards for your home. If there is an abundance of extra gas, your heat exchanger has a higher chance of catching on fire.
A Big Problem
It is important to keep in mind that even the smallest crack or hole is a big problem for your heat exchanger. Your heat exchanger needs to be completely airtight without any damage. Once a hole or crack forms, it will only continue to grow over time. No heat exchanger damage is too small to ignore.
In fact, you want to pay attention to your heater as a whole. If you see cracks, holes or visible damage anywhere on your heater, there’s a good chance that there is also damage to the heat exchanger itself. If you suspect that your heat exchanger is damaged, you need to turn your heater off to avoid any risks. Then, call for a service appointment right away. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Like we already said, it’s not possible to repair a crack in your heat exchanger, even though we would all love to have such an easy solution. Our team can talk to you about your replacement options and come up with a solution that works for your home and family.
Your comfort is our #1 priority! Schedule an appointment today for heater services.