Carbon Monoxide and Heat Exchangers

November 02, 2018

Carbon monoxide, the poisonous, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas responsible for more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room every year, can pose a danger from unexpected sources in your home, including fireplaces, water heaters and generators. Improper ventilation of fuel-burning appliances and exhaust from running automobile engines in attached garages are commonly associated with dangerous carbon monoxide levels. Another potential origin of carbon monoxide in your living space is your furnace.

Facts about Carbon Monoxide 

What is a heat exchanger and why is it essential?
A furnace's heat exchanger is a metal component that transfers heat from the fuel being burned while keeping the air in your home from mixing with the furnace exhaust. Sometimes the heat exchanger fails, either from cracks produced by constant expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling of the metal, or from rust. When a heat exchanger fails—under certain conditions—the exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, can combine with the air in the house. A properly functioning furnace should not produce significant levels of carbon monoxide; however, a cracked or leaking heat exchanger can present a safety danger.

What are the dangers correlated with a cracked heat exchanger?
A cracked heat exchanger could permit exhaust gas from the furnace to pollute the household air with exhaust gases including carbon monoxide. In order for this to happen, the furnace must be emitting high levels of carbon monoxide and the exhaust gas must be joining with the household air. This could lead to serious health issues and even death.

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What are the indicators of a cracked heat exchanger?
In addition to a visual inspection to identify a crack, there are a few signs of a potential complication with your heat exchanger that you may see. If you turn the heat on and the flames flicker and look devilish, this could be a sign that circulated air from the furnace is getting into the combustion area and you should have it inspected by an HVAC technician. Although you certainly hope it doesn’t reach this point, other signals of trouble include carbon monoxide detectors sounding and you or your family members feeling sick, lightheaded or nauseous. To ensure the safety of all occupants, all homes should have a operational carbon monoxide detector and batteries should be replaced routinely.

Service Experts’ NATE-certified technicians have received specialized training in observing a cracked heat exchanger. As standard practice and in addition to physically observing the presence of a hole or crack, cameras are used. Whenever possible, the technician will show customers the failed heat exchanger—or at least a photo of it—so they can see for themselves. Additionally, an expert technician will test both the home and furnace for carbon monoxide. A properly functioning furnace should not create significant levels of carbon monoxide. The technician will then warn the customers of the dangers associated with the failed part and give professional consultation regarding next steps.

What happens after an HVAC technician identifies a cracked heat exchanger?

 Common sources of carbon monoxide in homes

While it may end up making sense to replace the furnace as opposed to only the heat exchanger, that is not always the case. Furnace warranties can vary—most furnaces have a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger, while some are covered for 20 years or even for the life of the furnace. Our technicians will help you understand the warranty on your heat exchanger and provide all the information you need to decide if replacing the heat exchanger or the entire furnace is right for you.


Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning advises changing your carbon monoxide detectors every five years and checking your carbon monoxide detectors each month to make sure the batteries and alarm are working properly. And by keeping up with the routine maintenance of your equipment, you will have peace of mind knowing that it’s going to be safe. If you suspect a problem with your heat exchanger or need to have an analysis of carbon monoxide levels in your home, call Finch Air Conditioning & Heating Inc today at 281-407-9478 or schedule an appointment online.

Tips for keeping the home safe from carbon monoxide 
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