Furnace Blog
Heat Exchanger Crack: Signs You Must Not Ignore
A cracked heat exchanger can let carbon monoxide into supply air. Warning signs include a carbon monoxide alarm, soot, a flame that flickers when the blower starts, and headaches or nausea that ease outside. If you suspect a crack, do not run the furnace to test it. Call for an inspection, and if an alarm sounds, leave and call emergency services first.
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A cracked heat exchanger can let carbon monoxide into supply air. Warning signs include a carbon monoxide alarm, soot, a flame that flickers when the blower starts, and headaches or nausea that ease outside. If you suspect a crack, do not run the furnace to test it. Call for an inspection, and if an alarm sounds, leave and call emergency services first.

Not sure what your furnace is doing? Note the symptom, any error code, and when it started, then call (615) 436-9171 and we will narrow it down.
Related Reading
- Common furnace problems in Goodlettsville
- Emergency furnace repair in Goodlettsville
- Furnace maintenance and tune-up
Further Reading
Learn more from Furnace (heating) on Wikipedia and Goodlettsville on Wikipedia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check first for this furnace problem?
Start with thermostat batteries and setpoint, the furnace switch, the breaker, and the filter. Note any error code and when the problem started, then call us with those details.
Can I fix this furnace problem myself?
A filter change and thermostat batteries are safe homeowner jobs. Gas, ignition, heat exchanger, venting, and electrical work should be left to a technician, and safety switches should never be bypassed.
When should I call for emergency furnace help?
No heat in cold weather, a gas smell, a burning smell, or a carbon monoxide alarm all count as emergencies. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside.
How do I prevent this problem next winter?
Book a fall tune-up, change the filter on schedule, clear vents and the outdoor vent termination, and test carbon monoxide alarms before the first hard freeze.