I am being told by a furnace repair guy (who I had come in to perform annual maintenance) that I have cracks in the heat exchanger and that he needs to turn off my gas right now (by law). He ended up leaving without turning off the gas, but only after I signed stating that he will order this heat exchanger part and when it is in (in the next day or two) he will install it. I just don't know if he is honest or not. It is going to run me about $700. As an unemployed single mom, that is a LOT of money! I also don't want to take any chances with this quot;silent killerquot; with my kids in the house.
This Site Might Help You. RE: Will a cracked heat exchanger leak carbon monoxide? I am being told by a furnace repair guy (who I had come in to perform annual maintenance) that I have cracks in the heat exchanger and that he needs to turn off my gas right now (by law). He ended up leaving without turning off the gas, but only after I signed stating that he will order this heat...
If the heat exchanger is cracked, you will leak combustion exhaust gasses into the living area. Exhaust gasses include water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. If you have a cracked heat exchanger you should also be noticing more moisture in the house, with marked increase in moisture condensing on the cold surfaces like windows. If a properly conducted heat exchanger test shows a cracked heat exchanger, the repair person is to red tag and shut off the furnace as this will result in death of occupants. You have been advised of the danger and, in writing, waived the safety step. In some states you do not have this option. Regardless, there is a danger and you must ventilate (open windows slightly) to reduce the danger. This is a marked heat loss and costly but less costly than death. If you have family nearby, you are best served by staying with them until repairs are made. Sorry about the bluntness but this is a serious condition. Of course, this assumes the heat exchanger test was properly done and I suspect this is the case.
The heat exchanger may be under warranty from the manufacture, however this would need to be verify with the local supply house with your model and serial number off the furnace. I would also, question the heat exchanger crack, as some furnace have whats called a front plate. The front plate over time will crack. This is a replaceable part. And is often misdiagnosed as a cracked heat exchanger. 700 is fair for the price. I would get a carbon monoxide detector and install that. You might tell the guy to hold off and have someone else look at it. Some companies out there offer a free second opinion. You could call them and say that the first company says (your fibbing here) that you have two choices here replace the entire furnace or repair / replaced the heat exchanger. And that you would like them (the second company) to verify this and give you a second quote. Its pretty rare for the heat exchanger to crack in a residential home. Its is possible but again back to my statement above about the front plate. Just trying to give you some other things to look at and ask.
Heat exchangers are rather expensive and usually a pain in the butt to install. Depending on what type furnace you have, I would have to question the price for a new furnace as compared to the heat exchanger replacement. Estimates are usually free from contractors so you might want to think about it. It seems that replacement heat exchangers usually don't last a long as originals.
