Cracked Heat Exchanger

The Danger of Skipping Your Furnace Maintenance

If you have a gas furnace in your Houma or Thibodaux horne, you know how much of a blessing it can be. It provides reliable heating for your home during to cold winter months, and does so more efficiently than a heat pump can.

But you also know that goes appliances have certain risks associated with them. Those risks include fire and gas leaks, and most dangerous of all, carbon monoxide.

As a gas furnace owner, the most likely risk your furnace will pose is the development of cracks in your heat exchanger.

How Do Cracks Develop In Your Heat Exchanger?

Because the heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that creates your home’s heat, the most likely reason for it to crack is simple wear and tear. This happens when combustion gases from the furnace burners enter the heat exchanger and heat up its metal walls, thereby heating the air passing through the unit.

As these combustion gases work their heating magic, they also corrode the heat exchanger’s metal walls over time. When the corroded metal of the exchanger walls heat up they expand, causing cracks to form.

Why Is A Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous?

A cracked heat exchanger can allow dangerous exhaust gases to escape into your ductwork. These gases include methane and carbon monoxide, which are completely odorless and capable of causing serious problems for your family’s health.

Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector so you can avoid these dangerous effects:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Clumsiness
  • Weakness
  • Suffocation

Regularly Maintain Your Furnace to Prevent A Cracked Heat Exchanger

The best way to guarantee your family is protected from the dangers of a cracked heat exchanger is to have Doug’s perform regular furnace maintenance. Your maintenance appointment includes safety and function checks for all major components, including the heat exchanger and:

  • Burners
  • Flue Pipe
  • Safety Controls
  • Pilot Assembly
  • Ignition System
  • And More

If Doug’s finds any problems with your equipment during your maintenance appointment we will address the issue and make sure it has been resolved before we leave your home.

When Was Your Last Furnace Maintenance Appointment?

If you can’t remember having maintenance performed in the last year, it’s time to call Doug’s. We’ll keep your furnace in good shape and your family safe from taking combustion gases. (985) 222-2913