Your furnace requires upkeep. It is a simple fact, but one worth stating. Why? Because repairs are a part of that upkeep!
When you need reliable furnace repair in Charlottesville, VA, you know it is best to turn to the professionals. But did you know that some furnace repair needs are more urgent than others?
This doesn’t mean it is a good idea to put off repair needs when they arise. But it does mean that there is at least one repair that may pop up that goes beyond simply keeping your furnace in working shape. That is because the issue causing this repair need can threaten the health and safety of everyone in your home.
We are, of course, talking about the dangers associated with a cracked heat exchanger.
The Role of Your Heat Exchanger
Before we dive into why this repair is so important, let’s give you a little background. Your furnace works by burning natural gases, which are then filtered into the heat exchanger. Made of metal, the heat exchanger obviously heats up when filled with hot combustion gases. This heat warms the air being blown over and around the heat exchanger and that warmed air then gets blown into your home.
In short, without your heat exchanger, you have no heat.
So, Why Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger a Big Deal?
A cracked heat exchanger is a big problem for a couple of reasons. For one, like we said above, it can impact your heater’s ability to make heat. This can result in a reduction of heat or no heat whatsoever.
The second, much bigger issue is this: a crack in the heat exchanger puts you, your home, and everyone in it, at risk. Remember how all those combustion gases go into your heat exchanger to create warmth? Well, a crack in this vital part of your furnace would allow those gases to leak out and into your home. Considering that carbon monoxide is one of those harmful gases, you really don’t want to have that stuff leaking out.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?
Ways to tell you have a cracked heat exchanger include:
- Your hear a rattling noise when you run the heater.
- Your furnace isn’t producing warmth the way it should.
- You smell gas or sulfur (a rotten egg smell).
- Your carbon monoxide detector is going off.
- You or others in your home suffer from headaches, nausea, and/or dizziness.
If you have picked up on any of the above signs, you should immediately turn your furnace off and call in a professional HVAC technician. Only a trained professional has the tools and the know-how to get this repair need fixed effectively and in a timely manner so you can heat your home again. When your furnace is in trouble, reach out to Mack Morris Heating & Air Conditioning for reliable repairs.
We can’t control the weather outside of your home, but we can control the weather inside your home. Contact Mack Morris Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule your heater services.