The heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that actually heats the air. It’s an extremely important component of the heating system and an even more expensive part to replace. If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, it’s most often more economical to replace the system than to try to repair it. In addition, a cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety hazard and requires immediate attention.

How to Tell if Heat Exchangers are Cracked
The only way to definitely tell if your heat exchanger is damaged is to call in a professional heating specialist. They have the tools, knowledge and experience to determine if the heat exchanger is problematic. However, there are signs that could indicate a problem:

• Soot on the inside of the furnace is a sign the system isn’t running cleanly.
• Corrosion and cracks appearing on the external parts of your heating system usually indicate that there could be cracks on internal parts as well. Please call a professional to inspect your furnace, never try to open your heating system yourself!
• Water pooling on the floor can indicate a problem with your heat exchanger.

Danger of a Cracked Heat Exchanger
The biggest danger of a crack is the possibility of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. This odourless, colourless gas is extremely toxic and is responsible for deaths and illness every year in Canada. If you’re worried about a cracked heat exchanger in your heating system, contact a professional HVAC company right away to inspect your furnace.

If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us and be sure to
schedule furnace service online to assess your heating system.

Delta Air Systems has been providing quality heating and cooling service to the Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph and Cambridge areas since the 1950s.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for HVAC tips, tricks and advice
in addition to staying up-to-date on all our specials and promotions.