Is the heat exchanger of your furnace a bit of a mystery? If so, you likely have the following questions about it so that you can better understand when it needs to be repaired or replaced.

What Determines The Lifespan Of A Heat Exchanger?

There is no definitive answer when it comes to how long a heat exchanger can last. It's very similar to asking how long a vehicle lasts since factors like how frequently it is used will ultimately come down to determining its overall lifespan. The installation can also play into the part's lifespan since an improper installation can shorten how long the part will work. The quality of the heat exchanger also makes a difference, since there are both low-quality and high-end parts. It is entirely possible for your heat exchanger to last longer than the life of the furnace or for the heat exchanger to fail prematurely because of all these factors.

Can You Replace Your Heat Exchanger?

If your heat exchanger does fail, know that it is not a part that requires your entire furnace to be replaced with a new one. In fact, the heat exchanger often falls under a new furnace warranty where the manufacturer will cover the cost of the new part. You'll need to pay for the labor to have this part installed, but the part itself may be covered.

What Are The Signs Of A Bad Heat Exchanger?

The problem with the heat exchanger in an old furnace is that it is very difficult to tell if your heat exchanger is bad, which is why regular inspections of a furnace are so important. You can have a failed heat exchanger and still have your furnace seemingly operate as if it is working perfectly well. The problem is that the crack in the heat exchanger is going to allow gases to escape to places where the gas shouldn't go, which is a huge safety risk to your family.

New furnaces are designed with more safety controls in mind and can shut down when there are problems with the venting and combustion process. This will cause a reset button to light up where the simple press of a button helps override the emergency shutdown. However, this should be a big enough warning to let you know to have the furnace inspected by a professional since a bad heat exchanger has that safety risk.

Talk to a heating service to learn more about heat excahgers. 

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