A furnace is often a background player for your home, helping keep you warm during the cold winter months. It regularly doesn’t get noticed until something goes wrong. 

One source could be that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. It can be a safety risk, so it’s important to know the symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger and what to do if you are worried that may be the problem.  

What Is a Heat Exchanger in a Furnace? 

A heat exchanger helps transition heat from the combustion chamber inside your furnace to the air that flows inside the air ducts. It typically handles this via coils or tubes that warm the air while acting as a barrier to keep gas formed in the combustion chamber, called flue gasses, from leaking out into your home.  

Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger Dangerous? 

Because of its important role, it shouldn't come as a surprise that a cracked heat exchanger can be hazardous. A damaged heat exchanger can allow dangerous gasses – like carbon monoxide, which can be lethal – to be distributed through your home. 

For that reason, don't ever run your heating if you suspect you're dealing with a cracked heat