Gas Furnace Cracked Heat Exchanger

Consequently it will increase your heating costs significantly.

Gas furnace cracked heat exchanger.

The furnace usually sends the fumes out a flue but a crack can allow some to seep out. A cracked heat exchanger will also reduce the efficiency of the furnace. If the heat exchanger is cracked oxygen level in the combustion gasses will rise while the furnace is heating up because the heat exchanger s crack gets wider as the metal gets hot. A typical gas furnace flame has a blue hue.

Combustion gases leaking from a cracked heat exchanger can cause frequent headaches as well as flu like symptoms. Click on white arrow in the center to view. When a furnace first lights the flame impinges on the cold heat exchanger and water vapor from the flame actually condenses on the inside of the heat exchanger. Consequently air temperature becomes hotter.

Additionally a furnace should have a steady blue flame. The video below shows this test as it s occurring. Jose de la portilla technical training manager at hvac learning solutions discusses a simple and easy way to test a furnace heat exchanger that may be crac. Natural gas combustion produces water as one of its byproducts.

In a home heating system the exchanger heats the air that makes its way throughout the ventilation system. The reaction between the combustion gas and metal over time may create this weakening of metal. The combustible gas will become hotter as it accumulates in the exchanger. A combustion analyzer gives us co and oxygen readings.

This is why it s something to watch out for in an old furnace. The combustion analyzer also helps us gauge the overall performance of your furnace. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace is a serious safety issue. After just about ten minutes of run time the heat exchanger reaches operating temperature and the condensation evaporates.

Combustion pollutants such as carbon monoxide nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can cause eye and nose irritation disorientation sleepiness and nausea. When the flame is blue your furnace is performing properly. If a heat exchanger becomes cracked then your heating system will not perform as it should. A yellow flame could mean that the burner is dirty or that it has a cracked heat exchanger.

Even though your furnace may look and seem fine dangerous gases could leak into your home and seriously affect even kill your family members. Nowadays checking for a cracked heat exchanger is way more scientific.