Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas which can be found inside homes throughout America. Carbon monoxide can come from a number of devices or equipment inside a home such as a water heater, fireplaces, generators and a furnace. Carbon monoxide leaks can often be prevented with regular maintenance from a professional HVAC service. Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning would like to share the dangers of carbon monoxide and how it can be prevented.
Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger
It’s not the entire furnace that leads to carbon monoxide leaks. Rather it is a single component within the furnace known as the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is the main component that is responsible for creating heat from the fuel source which is often gas, electricity, or propane. When the heat exchanger fails due to improper care or age it can crack. The heat exchanger continuously expands and contracts which over time can cause the heat exchanger to crack. The internal combustion that occurs inside the heat exchanger can create carbon monoxide gas. If the heat exchanger has a crack it can leak the carbon monoxide into the home.
Danger of Carbon Monoxide Leak in Furnace
Carbon monoxide easily mixes with the air inside the home as the furnace runs and circulates the air. When the heat exchanger is cracked and leaking high levels of carbon monoxide gas, it can be harmful and even cause death. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected physically unless illness and other health symptoms emerge due to exposure. Unless you have a carbon monoxide detector it can be almost impossible to know if there is carbon monoxide in your home’s air.
Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger Symptoms
It can be hard to detect carbon monoxide. However, you can tell if the heat exchanger is damaged or cracked. During a routine HVAC tune-up and inspection, the HVAC technician will inspect the furnace and the heat exchangers for wear, cracks or other damages. If the heat exchanger gets a crack in the middle of the season you will often notice that there is less heat coming from the furnace. When the heat exchanger cracks it can lose heat through the crack and cause the furnace not to produce heat. If the furnace doesn’t create enough heat the furnace may constantly run and blow cooler air.
Diagnosing a Cracked Heat Exchanger
If you believe the heat exchanger may have a crack you will want to call a HVAC service to come and inspect the furnace. If there is a possibility of a crack the HVAC technician will use a specialized camera to snake its way through the heat exchanger and look for cracks. Often if the heat exchanger has a crack then the heat exchanger will need be to be replaced. Depending on the age of the furnace it may be better replacing the entire furnace.
Furnace HVAC Repair, Replacement, Inspections & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts
If you believe your furnace has a leak and is emitting carbon monoxide, contact an HVAC service immediately. Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning can help ensure your furnace is working throughout the season and can detect any leaks. For all of your HVAC needs, contact Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning today.
