Strange Noises From Your Furnace? Check The Heat Exchange For Cracks
If you hear strange noises every time your oil furnace kicks on, you'll need to hire an HVAC service to troubleshoot the cause of the sounds. More importantly, strange noises coming from your furnace may be a red flag warning that there is something dangerous going on in your furnace. Here's what you need to know if your furnace makes strange noises when the thermostat kicks the heater on.
Strange Noises Coming from the Heat Exchange
Strange noises such as rattling, banging, and popping are likely coming from a cracked heat exchange which is the core part of your furnace. Each time the furnace heats up and cools down it expands and contracts. Over time, this continuous expansion and contraction can lead to a crack forming.
A Cracked Heat Exchange Is Dangerous
The heat exchange is where the by-products of the fuel combustion go so the fumes can be sent to the flue of the chimney and out of the house. But, with a cracked heat exchange, the by-products of combustion (flue gas) can escape through the crack and into the confines of your home. This is dangerous because flue gas contains substances such as carbon monoxide.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Can Be Fatal
With carbon monoxide escaping the cracks of the heat exchange and building up in your home, you and the other occupants of the home are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is undetectable to human senses which is why it's important to have a functioning carbon monoxide detector. If you do have a carbon monoxide detector yet it has not sounded an alarm, be sure to have it checked to make sure it is working properly. If, on the other hand, you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, it's a good idea to have one installed.
Repair the Furnace with a New Heat Exchanger
Heat exchangers that are cracked will need to be replaced. The only way to repair the furnace is to replace the heat exchanger. Due to the location of the heat exchanger in the furnace, this will likely involve dismantling the furnace entirely in order for the replacement heat exchanger to be installed.
Due to the nature of the repair at hand and the costs that will be involved, it may be time to consider replacing the furnace entirely instead of repairing it with a new heat exchanger. To help make this determination, ask your HVAC contractor to thoroughly inspect the furnace for other issues that may have developed over time.
For more information, contact a local company like Haskins Heating & Cooling.