There are over 58 million homes in the U.S. that use natural gas to supply them with heat during the winter, and most of these homes use a furnace for the job. Today’s gas-powered systems are built for efficiency and safety.
However, no matter how safe these systems are and how professionally installed they are, using natural gas does come with a responsibility to perform maintenance checks. One repair problem that should never be ignored is a cracked heat exchanger. The good news is, the danger from cracked heat exchangers can be avoided with routine furnace maintenance and prompt furnace repair in Denver.
Read on to learn more or reach out to our Denver heating service experts!
The reason a crack in the heat exchanger of your furnace is such a big deal, and the reason to consider upgrading your furnace, is due to the possibility of a significant health hazard.
The heat exchanger is the small metal container inside your furnace that collects hot combustion gas from the burners. The heat from the gas transfers to the metal walls, causing the exchanger to burn hot. Air from the blower moves around the exchanger and picks up the heat before it passes into the ventilation system. The leftover combustion exhaust in the exchanger then is sent out a flue to harmlessly escape outdoors.
However, if the exchanger is damaged, then the toxic combustion gases—mostly carbon monoxide—enter into the air that’s being blown into your living space, which is understandably a huge health concern.
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 components in the furnace. But it’s worth noting that it is an expensive repair, and often one that’s too expensive compared to having a new furnace installed.
A good rule of thumb is any repair job that will cost more than half that of a new furnace is probably a poor investment. You’ll save more money by upgrading to a new furnace.
Here’s the thing—a cracked heat exchanger is usually only suffered by furnaces that are 15 years older or more, and/or haven’t received proper annual maintenance. By the time your furnace reaches that age, you should be thinking about replacement anyway, as a number of problems can start impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of your system.
For help with your heating, including a free estimate on a new system, contact the Denver heating and cooling experts at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical today!
We’re ready to answer your questions or schedule your appointment, call now or book online!
