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Heating replacementQuestion: I have been told that my 18 year old furnace has a cracked heat exchanger and the furnace needs replaced. But it still heats and works fine! What’s up? |
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Answer: A crack in your heat exchanger is a dangerous situation and should be corrected immediately. The heat exchanger is designed to keep combustion flue gasses, including carbon monoxide, separated from the air we breathe inside. If the heat exchanger has a crack or a leak and if the furnace does produce carbon monoxide then you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the US. Don’t bet your health on a store bought CO detector, most cannot measure the low levels of CO that might be present from a cracked heat exchanger. Low level exposures over time can cause serious risks. The risk from CO poisoning is so great most HVAC companies will turn the furnace off if a crack is found. It is recommended that any furnace over 10 years old be checked once a year by a qualified HVAC technician. Mike Weins |
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