What is a heat exchanger in a furnace?

Posted by Jerry Kelly HVAC at 8:10 AM

A heat exchanger is one of the most important parts of your furnace, but it's also one of the most dangerous when something goes wrong. That's why it's so important for St. Louis area homeowners to know how what a heat exchanger is and what they can do to avoid potential problems with one.

What is a heat exchanger?

In a gas furnace, a heat exchanger is the first place that combustion gasses enter after they've been produced by the burners. Once the combustion gasses are drawn into the chambers of the heat exchanger, heat from those gasses is transferred onto the heat exchanger walls.



At this point in the heating process, two things happen. The combustion gasses, which are now cooled down, are directed into the venting pipes by the draft inducer blower and taken out of the home. In a high efficiency furnace, those gasses go through a second heat exchanger where even more heat is extracted before they are vented out of the home.

At the same time, air from your home is blown over the heat exchanger, which is now hot from the combustion gasses. The air picks up heat from the heat exchanger walls and is directed through your ductwork where it is distributed throughout your home.

What can go wrong with a heat exchanger?

As you can tell, a heat exchanger is a fundamental component of a gas furnace. However, because it houses combustion gasses, it can also pose a threat to homeowners if something goes wrong.

One of the most common problems with a heat exchanger is when it begins to crack from normal wear and tear. When this happens, carbon monoxide can leak into your home's air, which can be very dangerous at high levels.

What's the best way to maintain a heat exchanger?

The best thing you can do to maintain your heat exchanger is to havepreventive maintenance performed on your furnace every year. During the maintenance, a technician will inspect the condition of your heat exchanger and make you aware of any problems. By doing this, and by also having carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, you won't have to worry about your heat exchanger cracking without you knowing it.

If you have any questions about what a heat exchanger is, or if you'd like service on your heating system, contact Jerry Kelly, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.

source: http://blog.jerrykelly.com/

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