A couple of years ago, I learned all about the importance of a heat exchanger.
Until my furnace failed, I had never heard of a heat exchanger. This single component is responsible for preventing combustion byproduct from entering the breathing air. As the furnace burns fossil fuels to create heat, it generates carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and formaldehyde. Those poisonous gases need to be safely expelled. If there is even a hairline crack in the heat exchanger, harmful toxins can be introduced into the home. The cost of a new heat exchanger is more expensive than purchasing an entire furnace. I know this because when my heating system quit and I called for repairs, the technician informed me that there was a crack in the heat exchanger. This was caused by the furnace overheating. Because I failed to keep up with professional annual maintenance, a whole bunch of dust and other contaminants built up within the inner workings of the heating equipment. With airflow restricted, the furnace struggled to meet demands. It ran for much longer cycles and eventually overheated. By neglecting professional service, I voided the manufacturer’s warranty. Although the system was less than five years old, I was stuck with the entire cost of having it replaced. I have now signed up for a maintenance plan with the HVAC company. I have the furnace inspected, cleaned and adjusted every fall to make sure it’s operating safely and efficiently. I want to make sure that this new furnace operates dependably for as long as possible. I also want to meet the stipulations of the manufacturer’s warranty.