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Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Putting You At Risk?

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by

Ryan Tutak
in
An Action Furnace technician carefully inspects the heat exchanger on a furnace, while his tablet takes readings.

TLDR – What You’ll Learn in Today’s Blog

  • Safety First: A broken heat exchanger is a serious safety risk, primarily due to the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) leaks and poisoning.
  • Function: The heat exchanger warms the air circulating through your home; if it fails, it can mix combustion gases with your breathable air.
  • Warning Signs: Look out for cracks, rattling/clicking noises, the furnace cycling on and off repeatedly, or a sharp odour.
  • Causes of Failure: Age, corrosion from lack of maintenance or high humidity, and component stress are common causes.
  • Action Plan: If you suspect an issue, contact Action Furnace immediately. Repairs are often temporary, and replacement is frequently the safest and most efficient long-term solution.
  • Prevention: Regular furnace maintenance (like an Action Furnace tune-up) is the best way to catch a failing heat exchanger early.

A broken heat exchanger isn’t just a small-time repair, it’s a potential safety hazard. So if you suspect an issue with yours you need a furnace company you can trust. 

Action Furnace repair technicians are trained better, and that means high-quality, prompt and professional furnace repairs and replacements that you can count on when you need them most.

Let’s dive in and explore the importance of your heat exchanger, common issues and when you should call us in to prevent system breakdowns and potential danger.

What is a Heat Exchanger?

Your heat exchanger is an integral piece of your overall home heating system. It helps transfer heat from natural gas to the air that circulates throughout your house. 

Here’s how it works: Natural gas flows into the heat exchanger when your furnace’s pilot light ignites, causing the heat exchanger to warm up. The blower motor then moves air across this heated exchanger, warming the air before distributing it throughout your home’s duct system to heat different areas.

A furnace technician reads the data being displayed on his equipment.

Threats of a Broken Heat Exchanger

If there is an issue with a heat exchanger, it’s not something to take lightly. Here are the most common signs of issues as well as the main threat: CO leaks.

The Hidden Threat: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If your heat exchanger is broken it significantly increases the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. And since CO is colourless and odourless, leaks can be hard to detect until it’s too late.

If you’re experiencing unexplained flu-like symptoms or dizziness, open all your windows and exit the home immediately, and call the proper authorities. Once it’s safe to enter your home, call Action Furnace for fast, dependable repair.

Common Causes of Heat Exchanger Failure

  • Furnace age and typical wear and tear
  • Component corrosion due to lack of maintenance or high-humidity in the home
  • Component stress, inefficiencies causing the heat exchanger to work harder, or turning on and off repeatedly.
  • Incorrect sizing of furnace during original installation.

Signs Your Heat Exchanger Is Nearing The End of its Lifespan

  • Visible damage and wear such as cracks or carbon buildup
  • Rattling or clicking sounds coming from your furnace
  • Furnace cycling on and off repeatedly, pilot light not staying lit
  • A sharp odour coming from your furnace.

If you’re noticing one or many of these, don’t wait. Call Action Furnace right away.

Repair vs. Replacement: What’s Your Best Option?

When we replace a heat exchanger it’s a permanent fix, however with an older furnace it may be in the best interest to look at a replacement. 

Luckily, Action Furnace is leading the way in high-efficiency furnace installation and replacement techniques, and we’ve been improving efficiency and safety for Albertan’s since 1975.

Every furnace installation and replacement appointment will begin with a thorough home analysis of your needs, and to ensure the right size equipment is recommended. A properly sized and installed furnace is crucial to keep you comfortable and safe year after year.

Your Home Comfort advisor will always provide a detailed overview of our most popular models, highlighting key differences in performance, energy savings, and reliability. 

At Action Furnace we have a large inventory of high-efficiency furnace models, and will install your new furnace as soon as possible to get you back to living comfortably. 

Our team is dedicated to providing you clean and respectful service and will complete your installation with minimal interruption to your day to day life.

Our installation technicians are the best in skill attitude and workmanship. They will care for your home and complete the job with speed and precision. If they have not performed in accordance with these high standards, we will provide you with 1 year free club membership at no charge.

Once your installation is complete, your technician will go through the operation of the new system for ultimate home comfort settings.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Catch a failing heat exchanger before it’s too late with a regular furnace tune-up from Action Furnace. 

Action Furnace tune-up’s are the best in the business, and we’ve been providing HVAC tune-up’s in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary since 1975. Our exclusive $149 service includes:

  • Full safety inspection which includes a visual inspection of the heat exchanger.
  • Ensure proper thermostat operation
  • Check all safety switches for proper operation
  • Inspect all drains (if applicable), ports and hoses for blockages
  • Inspect and clean flame sensor
  • Check for proper readings on the igniter
  • Inspect the blower motor assembly
  • Check gas lines and valves for leaks or signs of failure
  • Check amp draw on all motors
  • Ensure proper temperature rise
A close of up image of a furnace technician feeding a camera into a furnace to check for issues.

For your convenience and peace of mind, we proudly offer the Action Furnace Comfort Club. The exclusive membership designed to cover every piece of equipment in your home, including your furnace. Membership includes prescheduled maintenance, priority service, and fantastic deals and discounts. 

Join the over 34,000 Albertans already enjoying the perks! Contact us today to learn more.

A broken heat exchanger is a serious issue that goes beyond a simple inconvenience, it poses a real safety risk. Whether you need a quick repair assessment, expert maintenance, or a full furnace replacement, the certified and professional team at Action Furnace is here to ensure your home remains safe, warm, and efficient. If you suspect an issue, contact us right away to secure dependable, expert service.

Action Furnace Service Guarantees

No Surprise Guarantee

We guarantee that the investment quoted is what you will pay. There will be no additional charges during or after the installation.

Apples to Apples Guarantee

We promise you will not find a comparable furnace or air conditioner installation with the same quality and guarantees for less money. If you do, we will pay you $250 over and above the competing offer. All we ask is that the comparison be “Apples to Apples.”

$500 + Hotel No-Frustration Guarantee

If your new furnace breaks down within the first year and leaves you without heat or cooling for more than 24 hours, we will arrange your stay in a local hotel for the evening and pay you $500 for the inconvenience.

Two-Year Trial Guarantee

We guarantee that if, after 2 years, the equipment and service that we provided do not meet your expectations, we will remove the equipment and return 100% of your investment, plus interest.