How do I know if my furnace heat exchanger is bad?

How do I know if my furnace heat exchanger is bad?

Six Signs Your Furnace Heat Exchanger May be Cracked

  1. Strange smells. A malfunctioning heat exchanger will often create an unpleasant and strong odor that smells similar to formaldehyde.
  2. Soot Build-up.
  3. Corrosion & Cracks.
  4. Change in the flame appearance.
  5. Audible Sounds.
  6. Presence of Carbon Monoxide.

Is it worth replacing furnace heat exchanger?

The cost of replacing a heat exchanger ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. Replacing your furnace’s heat exchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new. However, it is not worth spending your money on replacing your heat exchanger when it is near the end of its life span, which is ten years or more.

Can I run my furnace with a cracked heat exchanger?

If it is your heat exchanger, you cannot run your furnace, even if it seems to be running fine. The gases will continue to seep into your home’s air. Many companies, upon finding a cracked heat exchanger, will shut your furnace down so you cannot run it.

How long do furnace heat exchangers last?

20 years

How much does it cost to replace a furnace heat exchanger?

If so, here’s the thing: replacing a heat exchanger isn’t as simple or affordable as it sounds. In fact, replacing a furnace heat exchanger can take up to 8 hours and can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500.

Can you replace a heat exchanger on a gas furnace?

You can’t repair or replace a heat exchanger because there’s too big a risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. It’s also cost-prohibitive. That’s why you need to replace the entire furnace. But, that’s what happens if your HVAC tech determines you have a cracked heat exchanger.

When should I replace my heat exchanger?

Heat exchangers offer a typical service life between 10 to 20 years – depending on the life of your furnace and other factors, you may decide to replace the entire furnace if the heat exchanger requires replacement.

How much is a new furnace with installation?

Installing or replacing a furnace costs $5,500 with a typical range between $2,617 and $6,320 including materials, equipment and labor. Replacing a gas furnace runs from $3,800 to $10,000 or more for high efficiency models in complex installations. Electric models run slightly less at $2,000 to $7,000.