Hidden Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Fredericksburg, VA

You might not be aware of all the parts of your HVAC system, but one of the most important ones is the heat exchanger. If it becomes cracked, it can present several problems. Below we’ll discuss what causes cracking and the hidden dangers a cracked heat exchanger presents to your Fredericksburg, VA, home.

What Causes Cracking?

There are a few things that cause cracks in your heat exchanger, which allows indoor temperatures to rise. Age is a common cause of cracking in heat exchangers. When a heat exchanger cools down and heats up repeatedly, this causes the component to expand and contract. Eventually, this wears out the component.

Corrosion is another thing that causes cracking. The structural integrity of the heat exchanger becomes worse, which causes cracks. Corrosion also makes its way to other parts of the furnace and affects your indoor air quality.

Lack of maintenance also leads to cracking. If your HVAC system doesn’t receive proper maintenance annually, then problems can build up, leading to many issues.

Carbon Monoxide

A cracked heat exchanger could lead to carbon monoxide leakage. You can’t see carbon monoxide, as it’s an odorless and colorless gas that’s deadly at certain levels.

Symptoms of exposure include dizziness, weakness and flu-like symptoms. Be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors in the home and change the batteries two or three times a year.

Indoor Air Quality Issues

There are other indoor air quality issues associated with a cracked heat exchanger. Soot, corrosion and foul odors impact the quality of your air. Not only do these exacerbate allergies and asthma, but they also cause other health issues in the long run.

Don’t wait until you suffer serious health issues or problems with your HVAC system. If you suspect you have a cracked heat exchanger, contact the dedicated, experienced professionals at Custom Design Heating & Air Conditioning for all your HVAC maintenance and repair needs.

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