If you have a furnace in your home, you are likely going to be increasing your use of this system in the coming weeks. We’ve seen more warm weather than usual for this time of year, but we all know that when things take a dip the temperature is going to get cold fast.
With this in mind, it makes sense that you’d want any furnace repair in Milwaukie, OR to be taken care of promptly. We agree wholeheartedly, not just because it helps you stay more comfortable but also because it can help keep you safer too.
If you are one of the many in the area with a gas-powered furnace, a specific system issue can be a safety hazard: a cracked heat exchanger. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Heat Exchanger?
The heat exchanger is the component of your furnace that holds the hot, combustion gases created by your furnace burners. This is a component that is made entirely of metal. The metal heats up as it fills with the combustion gas which helps to heat the air in the system that is then blown into the home.
Why a Crack in Your Heat Exchanger Is a Problem
Over the years, wear and tear from regular expansion and contraction can lead to the development of a crack in the metal that makes up your heat exchanger. In many cases, this crack is nearly microscopic, making it almost impossible to see without the right tools. However, this doesn’t stop the problem from creating a bigger issue in your home.
Firstly, a cracked heat exchanger will allow the escape of heated combustion gases that would warm the metal of the heat exchanger. This will undermine your home comfort and will only worsen as you continue to use your furnace more frequently.
Secondly, those cracks allow combustion gases out of your heat exchanger and into the air that is flowing into your home. This can have serious consequences for your health.
How to Handle the Issue
Let’s be clear, we do not want you to try to fix a heat exchanger issue on your own. When we say “handle,” we mean that these are the steps to take to get the problem seen to quickly.
The first step is knowing the warning signs. These include the smell of sulfur, the sound of hissing, and a reduced level of warmth.
We’d also add that you should know what the warning signs are of carbon monoxide poisoning. Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath all indicate that there is enough gas to affect your well being. If this is the case, you’ll need to evacuate your home and call emergency services before doing anything else.
The second step is knowing who to call. You need to get a repair scheduled for this problem as soon as you can. Make sure to reach out to a team of professionals like ours to get your system checked out and repaired.
Schedule your furnace repair with the experts at The Clean Air Act. Please call Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment! We will take care of you from there!