If the furnace in your Easton, PA home has a cracked heat exchanger, it’s a serious situation. This issue could lead to a buildup of lethal carbon monoxide in your home, jeopardizing the safety of your household. Here are four signs of a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace,so you can have the problem fixed immediately.
1. Furnace Flame Burning Yellow
When everything’s working correctly, the flame in your furnace should be clear and blue. If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, however, the flame might appear yellow instead. This means the natural gas isn’t burning completely and is releasing harmful byproducts into your home’s air.
2. Your Furnace Emits a Foul Odor
Ordinarily, your furnace shouldn’t produce any noticeable smell when you’re using it. If you begin to detect a foul odor that’s reminiscent of formaldehyde coming from your furnace, something’s wrong. It’s a sign that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, and you should call for heating repair immediately.
3. There’s an Abnormal Buildup of Soot
Modern furnaces burn natural gas so thoroughly that there shouldn’t be anything left behind afterward. If your furnace is exhibiting an abnormal buildup of soot, it might indicate that you have a burner problem. However, it’s also a common sign of a cracked heat exchanger, so you’ll need to have the system checked out.
4. You See Evidence of Cracks or Corrosion
The exterior of your furnace should remain in near-pristine condition for the life of the unit. If you start to notice evidence of cracks or corrosion on the furnace’s exterior, the problem likely goes much deeper. Your heat exchanger is vulnerable to the same forces that cause such exterior damage and may have cracks, too.
If you have any reason to believe that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, don’t ignore it! Contact us at Sullivan Oil & Propane immediately so we can inspect your furnace and make the necessary repairs.
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