Heat Exchanger FAQ

A heat exchanger is a critical component in your furnace that transfers heat from combustion gases to the air circulating through your home. It keeps dangerous combustion gases separate from the air you breathe while allowing heat transfer.

Heat exchangers typically last 15-20 years with proper maintenance. However, factors like furnace usage, maintenance frequency, air quality, and system design can affect lifespan. Regular professional inspections help identify issues early.

Common causes include normal wear and aging, corrosion from moisture, overheating due to restricted airflow, poor maintenance, manufacturing defects, and thermal stress from frequent cycling on and off.

Warning signs include unusual odors (metallic or chemical smells), visible rust or corrosion, strange noises during operation, soot buildup around the furnace, frequent cycling, and carbon monoxide detector alarms.

Some cracks may be visible during a visual inspection, but many heat exchanger cracks are internal or in hard-to-see areas. Professional diagnosis with specialized equipment is necessary for accurate assessment.

Frequent cycling can indicate heat exchanger problems, restricted airflow, thermostat issues, or other system problems. A cracked heat exchanger may cause safety systems to shut down the furnace repeatedly.

Turn off your furnace immediately and call for professional service. Strange odors, especially metallic or chemical smells, can indicate heat exchanger problems or other safety issues requiring immediate attention.

A cracked heat exchanger is extremely dangerous as it can allow carbon monoxide to enter your home's air supply. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that can cause serious illness or death.

Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion, and flu-like symptoms. Severe exposure can cause unconsciousness and death. If you suspect CO poisoning, evacuate immediately and call 911.

If your carbon monoxide detector is alarming or you suspect CO exposure, evacuate immediately and call 911. For suspected heat exchanger problems without CO detection, turn off the furnace and call for professional service.

Test CO detectors monthly and replace batteries annually. Replace the entire unit every 5-7 years. Ensure you have detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

Minor cracks may sometimes be repaired, but most heat exchanger cracks require complete replacement for safety reasons. Our technicians will only recommend repair if it can be done safely and effectively.

Replacement is typically recommended for significant cracks, multiple cracks, extensive corrosion, or when the furnace is over 15 years old. Repair may be possible for minor issues on newer systems.

This depends on the furnace age, overall condition, and cost comparison. For furnaces over 15 years old, complete replacement is often more cost-effective than heat exchanger replacement alone.

Heat exchanger replacement typically takes 4-8 hours depending on the furnace type and accessibility. Complete furnace replacement usually takes 6-12 hours including removal, installation, and testing.

Heat exchanger replacement costs vary based on furnace type, accessibility, and parts availability. Contact us for a detailed quote specific to your system and situation.

Coverage depends on your furnace warranty terms and the cause of failure. Manufacturing defects are often covered, while normal wear and poor maintenance typically aren't. We can help determine warranty coverage.

Contact us to discuss payment options and financing availability for heat exchanger replacement or complete furnace replacement services.

Factors include furnace brand and model, heat exchanger type, labor complexity, accessibility, additional repairs needed, and whether OEM or aftermarket parts are used.

Heat exchangers should be professionally inspected annually as part of regular furnace maintenance. More frequent inspection may be needed for older systems or those with previous issues.

Regular maintenance significantly extends heat exchanger life by ensuring proper airflow, clean operation, and early problem detection. However, normal aging and wear will eventually require replacement.

Professional inspection includes visual examination, carbon monoxide testing, combustion analysis, airflow assessment, and specialized testing to detect cracks or other problems not visible to the naked eye.

Yes, we provide same-day emergency service for heat exchanger problems across Metro Vancouver. Call 778-909-5731 for immediate assistance with suspected heat exchanger issues.

We service all types including primary heat exchangers, secondary heat exchangers (in condensing furnaces), tubular, serpentine, and clamshell designs across all major HVAC brands.

We offer both OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and high-quality aftermarket parts. We'll discuss options and recommend the best choice based on your system, budget, and warranty considerations.

We use multiple methods including visual inspection, carbon monoxide testing, combustion analysis, pressure testing, and specialized equipment to detect cracks that aren't visible during standard inspection.

We service heat exchangers for all major brands including Lennox, Carrier, Trane, York, Goodman, Rheem, Napoleon, Daikin, and many others across Metro Vancouver.

We provide heat exchanger services throughout Metro Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Delta, North Vancouver, Port Moody, and New Westminster.

We target 1-2 hour response times for emergency heat exchanger service across Metro Vancouver. Same-day service is available for urgent safety situations.

Yes, we provide emergency heat exchanger service 7 days a week including weekends and holidays for urgent safety situations and no-heat emergencies.

Call 778-909-5731 or email info@Romaheating.ca to schedule routine heat exchanger inspection, maintenance, or non-emergency repairs at your convenience.