subject: Beware Of Heat Exchanger Scams [print this page] The presence of a crack in the heat exchanger of your furnace can have a really damaging effect because it causes the leaking of toxic gases into your home. Taking advantage of how seriously most people view a cracked heat exchanger, there are quite a few so-called maintenance experts who claim to provide heat exchanger repair solutions. Here are a few things you can do to ensure the safe functioning of your furnace without getting conned in the process.
Understand the Basics
At the heart of the furnace that heats your home is the heat exchanger the metal portion that acts as a barrier between the air stream and the fire burning within the furnace. Over time, this metal may develop cracks because of the continuous heating and cooling as well as the moisture generated within. However, it is important to understand that not all that looks like a crack in the metal to your eyes is actually a crack. Hair line cracks may sometimes be present or welds that pop have a tendency to cause the formation of a little hole. It is best to have a heat exchange maintenance expert examine your furnace thoroughly to find out if there is a crack.
Have the Right Tests Performed
If a technician from the heat exchanger repair solutions firm simply performs a visual inspection of your furnace and says there is a crack, do not take it at face value. Make sure he verifies his suspicion by performing the prescribed tests such as an internal video scanning which can confirm if there is really a crack.
Ask Questions
When the technician inspecting your furnace says there is a crack, get all the necessary information from him. Ask relevant questions regarding where the crack is located in the frames sheet metal or the actual combustion area and how large or small it is; ask about whether the crack is causing the leakage of a large amount of air. You should also try to get details of how dangerous the crack is and whether it will affect the functioning of the furnace in a serious way or cause the leakage of dangerous gases into your home.
Get a Second Opinion
Before committing to buying a new furnace because the present one has cracks, always make it a point to get a second opinion. If possible, have this second inspection by an expert recommended by someone whose opinion or experience you trust. Ask the same questions as before and compare answers any major discrepancy is a sure indication that one of the two experts is not telling the entire truth.
Furnaces are quite expensive and therefore, you should not get tricked into buying a new one when your old one can be repaired to work well. Saying a heat exchanger is cracked is one of the best ways to get people to panic into making a new purchase and that is why some businesses use this line to boost their sales. However, armed with a little more understanding of the subject, you can ensure you do not get cheated by a heat exchanger scam.
