A furnace is usually a background player at home, keeping you warm during the cold winter months. It regularly won't be noticed until a malfunction appears. 

One source could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can potentially be hazardous, so it’s critical to learn the signs of a cracked heat exchanger and what you can do if you suspect that is the problem.  

What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace? 

A heat exchanger helps transition heat from the combustion chamber in your furnace to the air that moves inside the ventilation. It generally handles this using coils or tubes that heat up the air while serving as a barrier to keep the gasses created in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from leaking out into your home.  

Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous? 

Thanks to its important role, it’s no surprise that a damaged heat exchanger can be hazardous. A crack in the heat exchanger can permit dangerous gasses – like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to circulate across your home. 

For obvious reasons, never use your furnace if you believe it has a cracked heat exchanger, as this could make the entire family sick. Call an HVAC professional right away if you think your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger that needs to be repaired. 

Four Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger: 

  • Furnace switches off: A crack in your heat exchanger can cause your furnace to turn off. 
  • Odd Smells: If the air coming out of your furnace has an intense chemical smell, it could be an indicator that gas is seeping through cracks in your heat exchanger. These gasses, which may smell like formaldehyde, are a common warning sign. 
  • Carbon monoxide alarm initiates or you feel poisoning symptoms: If a cracked heat exchanger is relieving carbon monoxide into your home, your carbon monoxide alarm may go off or household members may start experiencing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting or feeling tired. If the alarm goes off or you feel unwell, exit the home immediately and then call for help. 
  • Soot: If you find black sooty collecting around the exterior of your furnace, it’s another sign something could be seriously wrong.

What You Can Do if the Furnace Heat Exchanger is Cracked 

If you suspect your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, call a pro well versed in furnace installation Myrtle Beach right away so they can inspect your system and, if necessary, start a furnace heat exchanger replacement. Costs will fluctuate depending on the situation, but estimates often hover around $1,000 to $3,000. 

Estimates aside, the good news is that heat exchangers are often protected by the warranty. You’ll want to check the warranty paperwork on your furnace, because while the warranty might not cover the entire cost of repairs, it could significantly reduce your bill.  

How to Prevent a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Your Home  

One of the easiest ways to prevent a problem in your furnace overall is with regular furnace maintenance. Furnaces offer the most benefits when they work efficiently. Hiring a skilled professional to inspect your furnace for broken-down parts, clogged filters and other common problems can help you avoid getting a big bill later on.  

It’s also beneficial to inspect your furnace filters every few months – it’s recommended some filters be replaced every 90 days or sooner if they are dirty or grimy. While the filters are not part of the heat exchanger itself, the strain of dragging air through a clogged filter makes the entire furnace work harder to accomplish its job. And the harder your furnace has to work, the more wear and tear pieces like the heat exchanger will endure.