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You can see the rust holes up near the sheet metal plates in this heat exchanger
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces - Everyone wants heat when old man winter arrives in the fall. Many times we take it for granted. When the temperature falls all we have to do is go to the thermostat and turn the heat on. Usually, this is not a problem. We turn the thermostat on and the heat comes on. When we first turn the furnace on we have a slight burning odor that comes from the system.
Usually, many of us ignore this odor because it does eventually, usually, go away. This is normal and is usually dust particles that have accumulated on the furnace’s heat exchanger burning off. How many people actually think it is carbon monoxide. How many called a professional HVAC contractor to make sure it is not a problem?
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces
There are some people who do call but a majority of people just ignore and enjoy the heat. Heat is produced by a dangerous furnace. After all, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless byproduct of burning fossil fuels. Even if an unsafe condition existed in their furnace they would probably never know it.
This is why it is important before old man winter arrives, to call a professional. A qualified furnace technician to inspect the furnace. First, the furnace technician can make sure that the furnace will start. Secondly, the furnace technician can make sure you will have a safe operating furnace.
You want to make sure the furnace does not have a cracked heat exchanger. A well-qualified HVAC technician will look for a furnace cracked heat exchanger during a maintenance check. Heat safety is paramount so have your furnaces inspected immediately for a cracked heat exchanger. Have a safe heating season.
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces - Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Cracked Heat Exchangers
Heat safety is important. A carbon monoxide detector installed in the home is a very good idea. It should be a required item to go with any type of fossil fuel burning appliance including a furnace. Remember, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is highly toxic to humans (and animals). You will never see it or smell it but you will feel the effects of it.
A dangerous cracked heat exchanger in a furnace can make you physically ill. While it may happen all at once and possibly incapacitate you, chances are it can also happen very slowly. At first, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can seem mild. As time goes on and you absorb more of the gas into your system the effects can be crippling.
If you have a fossil fuel burning appliance make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector. Doing this and you will enjoy a safe and healthy heating season. Gas furnaces can provide heat safely to you and your dwelling but let us not take it for granted.
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces - Fossil Fuels and Cracked Heat Exchangers
Anyone who has an oil or gas boiler, oil or gas furnace, gas logs whether they be propane or natural gas, a gas stove or oven, or any wood-burning appliance or fireplace, or appliance or heating device that burns fossil fuels you need a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home or business. Tragedies including death and severe sickness occur every year because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
It does not have to be a fossil fuel-burning appliance that causes the carbon monoxide danger. It can be from someone starting their car in a garage without opening the garage door. The person may get by with this for a while. However, eventually, the carbon monoxide infiltrates the house and a build-up can occur. There was a story reported on the news after a hurricane. A man set up a portable gas generator because the electricity was out because of the storm. He set the generator up next to the house too close to a window.
The wind blew all the exhaust gasses from the generator into the room where the window was open. The carbon monoxide killed his daughter. There are too many tragic stories to tell about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Take necessary precautions when dealing with any fossil fuel burning appliance and get a carbon monoxide detector. Play it safe so you don’t make the news.
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces - Conclusion
Cracked heat exchangers may or may not produce carbon monoxide in a structure. However, if an HVAC technician finds the cracked exchanger he must condemn the appliance. Condemned whether it produces carbon monoxide or not. The fact of the matter is the appliance is faulty and needs to be repaired or replaced. Therefore the appliance should not be used under any circumstances as it presents a potential danger. A danger that can kill the occupants of the structure.
Lastly, Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces means to urge you to get your furnace checked on an annual basis. There are some gas furnaces with cracked heat exchangers that do not leak carbon monoxide into the home. This is because of heat exchanger design and pressure. However, I would still consider this a dangerous appliance and put it out of service. The potential is there with any cracked heat exchanger to cause illness or worse.
Dangerous Cracked Heat Exchangers in Furnaces
