How Much Does A Heat Exchanger Replacement Cost?
- Average Heat Exchanger Replacement Cost
- Heat Exchanger Price. A heat exchanger costs $300 to $3,000 depending on the brand and the size of your furnace. ...
- Cost to Replace Heat Exchanger. On average, you’ll spend $400 to $600 in labor alone. ...
- Cracked Heat Exchanger Repair Cost. ...
- Heat Exchanger Replacement Price List by Brand
- DIY vs. ...
- FAQs. ...
How long does it take to replace a heat exchanger?
Some high-efficiency models use a secondary heat exchanger to reclaim the heat from the combustion gasses that normally vent to the outside. Heat exchanger replacement labor costs $75 to $125 per hour to replace the exchanger. Depending on the furnace size, accessibility, and location, this process could take five to eight hours.
How much is it to install a furnace heat exchanger?
Installation of heat exchangers can also be pricey, and you’re looking at around $2,000–$6,000. If you need to install a secondary heat exchanger, that can cost you from $800–$3,500. The secondary exchanger itself will cost $400 to $2,800, plus the labor costs to install it. If your heat exchanger needs a replacement, the job will take 5 ...
Should I replace my furnace's heat exchanger?
Furnace heat exchangers joints are not hermetically sealed, so a small amount of leakage is normal. If there are any abnormal splits, cracks, or holes , the heat exchanger must be replaced." So, for any contractor who says you have a cracked heat exchanger, don't take their word for it. Ask him or her to show it to you. You should be able to see it.
How much does it cost to replace the heater core?
Replacing the heater core can be an expensive job, and usually costs between $564 – $927 for parts and labor. The parts aren’t particularly expensive, normally costing $80 – $234, but the location of the heater core means that labor costs tend to be quite high.
Is it worth replacing a heat exchanger?
Replacing your furnace's heat exchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new. However, it is not worth spending your money on replacing your heat exchanger when it is near the end of its life span, which is ten years or more.
How much is labor on a heat exchanger?
Generally, labor to replace a heat exchanger costs $400-$600. The job can take 5-8 hours at a cost of $75-$125 per technician.
Can you fix a heat exchanger?
Unfortunately, heat exchangers cannot be repaired. When a heat exchanger cracks or rusts through it must be replaced. Because the heat exchanger is at the center of the furnace, nearly the whole furnace must be disassembled. Even if the parts are covered under warranty, the labor and freight will start around $500.
What are the symptoms of a damaged heat exchanger?
Six Signs Your Furnace Heat Exchanger May be CrackedStrange smells. A malfunctioning heat exchanger will often create an unpleasant and strong odor that smells similar to formaldehyde.Soot Build-up. ... Corrosion & Cracks. ... Change in the flame appearance. ... Audible Sounds. ... Presence of Carbon Monoxide.
Can I run my furnace with a cracked heat exchanger?
Rule #1: If your Heat Exchanger has been deemed cracked by a HVAC professional you should NOT be running it. Unfortunately, some owners will attempt to run their furnace even when a cracked heat exchanger has been detected.
How long should a heat exchanger last?
about 15 yearsThe heat exchanger is responsible for heating the air that circulates through your home in the winter. Heat exchangers usually last about 15 years. If you invest in maintenance, yours might even last 20.
What causes heat exchanger failure?
Corrosion is a common cause of heat exchanger failure in process applications. The mechanisms of corrosion-induced failure include pitting corrosion, galvanic corrosion and condensate grooving.
What happens if you have a cracked heat exchanger?
Your furnace might stop working if you're lucky, but most often, it will keep running even with a crack, allowing carbon monoxide to seep into your house. The only signs that you have a damaged heat exchanger is either no heat during the winter, reoccurring flu-like symptoms, or a beeping carbon monoxide detector.
What could cause the heat exchanger to crack?
Factor in the stress of a harder workload on your heat exchanger over months or years, and a premature crack will not be far off. A malfunction in your burner can cause your furnace to burn hotter than it should, especially when left unfixed. This increase in heat can cause a crack in your heat exchanger.
Can a cracked heat exchanger cause a fire?
The Furnace Flame Looks Yellow However, if the furnace produces a yellow flame, it can mean that your burner is dirty or your heat exchanger has cracked. But if the flame is yellow and also flickers, the chances are high that there are more damages in the furnace.
How do I test a heat exchanger?
0:152:21Simple Furnace Heat Exchanger Test | Lennox Learning SolutionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd easiest ways to test them while it's true we can disassemble the heat exchanger take theMoreAnd easiest ways to test them while it's true we can disassemble the heat exchanger take the manifold. The burners out and do a visual inspection.
Where is the heat exchanger located?
furnaceA heat exchanger is a metal device that's located inside your furnace. It has two primary purposes. First, it provides heat to your home's air while your furnace is operating.
Can you replace just the heat exchanger in a furnace?
You can't repair or replace a heat exchanger because there's too big a risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. It's also cost-prohibitive. That's why you need to replace the entire furnace.
How much is a heat exchanger for a Carrier furnace?
between $1500-$2500The average cost of a Carrier heat exchanger replacement is between $1500-$2500. If your Carrier furnace is past its warranty it may be best to consider a furnace replacement. Although you could replace a heat exchanger, all of the other parts on the furnace are aged as well.
Will a home warranty cover a cracked heat exchanger?
If you have a Landmark home warranty and you get the bad news that your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, your first question will most likely be: "Will my home warranty cover this?" The answer is yes!
How much does it cost to replace a furnace?
A new furnace replacement can cost between $3,000 - $7,600, depending on the size of your home, the efficiency of your new furnace, and the sophistication of the equipment. That includes labor and permit fees, not just equipment costs.
How much does a heat exchanger cost?
A heat exchanger costs $300 to $3,000 depending on the brand and the size of your furnace. That price doesn’t include any labor. In most cases, when choosing between replacing it or the whole furnace, it’s usually a safer bet to get a new furnace installed.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace heat exchanger?
Replacing a furnace heat exchanger costs $1,500 on average with a typical range between $1,000 and $2,000. Most have a warranty of 10 to 20 years, which usually only covers the price of the exchanger, which typically ranges from $500 to $2,000. Labor alone runs an average of $500.
What happens if a heat exchanger fails?
A failure of a heat exchanger means it cracks or develops small holes, which releases combustion air with a little carbon monoxide into your home’s air supply.
How does a furnace work?
Your furnace works by using combustion to heat a series of coiled pipes as the blower pushes air over them, warming the air on its way to your home’s ducts. Only combustion furnaces have these coils. High efficiency models use a secondary condenser coil system.
What to do if your HVAC cracks?
If you suspect a crack, call a HVAC repair company near you for an inspection today. They’ll go over your options and recommend the best way to solve the problem.
Does a furnace have a heat exchanger?
They all work the exact same way. Oil, gas or propane combust to warm a set of metal tubes that the air then passes over. Electric furnaces don’t have heat exchangers.
Can you repair a heat exchanger?
You can’t repair residential heat exchangers. Once cracked, you’ll need to replace it for an average of $1,500. If it cracks after the warranty is up, usually at least 20 years, consider replacing the entire furnace. The crack allows the release of dangerous carbon monoxide into the air.
How much does it cost to replace a heat exchanger in a gas furnace?
The price range you’ll pay is between $360 to $2,800 based on the cost and availability of the part, and the labor charge from the HVAC repair company installing it.
What is a furnace heat exchanger?
The most common type of heat exchanger is a series of hollow, ribbon-like tubes that combustion gases pass through on their way out of the furnace through the flue vent. It transfers heat into air being circulated past the heat exchanger and into your home’s ductwork.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace?
You can expect to pay around $815 for replacement when in warranty and around $1,950 when the furnace is out of warranty. Keep in mind a warranty only covers the cost of parts and not the labor to install a heat exchanger.
How long is a furnace warranty?
For most, the warranty is for 3, 5 or 10 years.
What is furnace size?
Furnace Size – The size is based on the BTU capacity of the furnace. The larger the furnace, the larger and more expensive the heat exchanger.
How long does it take to disassemble a furnace?
5 to 3 hours | Disassembling the furnace and removing the part
Can a cracked furnace leak carbon monoxide?
A damaged, leaking, or cracked unit can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to leak gasses into the airflow, and thus spreading the odorless CO gas into your home along with the warm air. Heat exchangers are at the very core of a gas furnace.
How much does it cost to repair a heat exchanger?
This could range from £100 to £1,000,000. This first question is really difficult to answer because every type of repair is different. It’s a case of ‘how long is a piece of string’. The things to take into consideration are:
What if my heat exchanger needs to be replaced?
If the worst case scenario occurs and your heat exchanger needs to be replaced, you still have a number of options. Before replacing a heat exchanger, we will always do our best to repair it. However in some cases, it is more cost-efficient to simply replace it altogether.
How long do heat exchangers last?
A heat exchangers lifespan depends on a number of factors. A typical heat exchanger should last for around 10 years in full working order. However, this depends on the following factors:
How often should a heat exchanger be cleaned?
It is good working practice to service, inspect and clean your heat exchangers every 12 months. However subject to the working conditions, this may be every 24 months.
What does it mean when a heat exchanger leaks?
A leaking heat exchanger is an inefficient heat exchanger or, in some cases, a broken one. Your heat exchanger needs to operate at a certain pressure level in order to do its job correctly, so inevitably a leak can cause problems.
How does heat exchanger life affect the lifespan of a heat exchanger?
Here is a complete list of the factors that can affect the lifespan of your heat exchanger tubes: Working environment. Exposure to corrosion (ie salt water)
Why does my heat exchanger break down?
Heat exchangers can break down for a variety of reasons. These can include blockages, corrosion, erosion or leakages. These types of problems can result in poor performance or, in the worst case scenario, a complete breakdown.
How can I tell if I actually need to replace my heat exchanger?
Here’s the bottom line: If you can’t see a crack or hole in your heat exchanger with your naked eye, you probably don’t need to replace your heat exchanger.
What happens if you crack a heat exchanger?
If you have a cracked heat exchanger, it can release these gases into your home, including poisonous gases like carbon monoxide.
Is the furnace part expensive?
The part itself is expensive- It’s the piece of your furnace that heats your home’s air (aka your furnace won’t work without it)
Should I just replace my furnace instead of my heat exchanger?
It depends! As you know, replacing a heat exchanger is expensive, and you don’t want to pour money into a system that isn’t going to last. On the other hand, you don’t want to pay for a completely new furnace if you can spend a few thousand dollars replacing an otherwise healthy system.
How to know if your furnace exchanger needs replacing
Some HVAC techs try to scare you into replacing the heat exchanger when you really don’t need to. So, for your information, you know you’ll need a new heat exchanger if it’s cracked or not.
Why a cracked heat exchanger must be replaced
The AHRI guidelines continue: “If there are any abnormal splits, cracks, or holes, the heat exchanger must be replaced.”
Replace the heat exchanger or install a new furnace?
Let’s assume your heat exchanger is actually cracked. Because heat exchanger repairs are so expensive, should you replace it or get a new furnace?
Still have heat exchanger questions?
Whether you just want a second opinion or just want some advice about your furnace heat exchanger, we’re here to help.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace heat exchanger?
In fact, replacing a furnace heat exchanger can take up to 8 hours and can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500.
How long does it take to replace a heat exchanger?
And because it can take up to 8 hours or longer to replace a heat exchanger, the labor itself is the bulk of the repair cost. Most furnace installers offer a labor warranty that lasts anywhere from 1 to 5 years after they installed the unit. So, if your furnace is still under its labor warranty, we definitely recommend replacing just ...
How long does a furnace heat exchanger last?
The good news is that most furnace manufacturers offer an extended “parts” warranty for a heat exchanger that lasts anywhere from 10 years to a limited lifetime warranty. The bad news is that the parts warranty only covers the cost of the actual heat exchanger—not the labor required to replace it. And because it can take up to 8 hours ...
How much does it cost to install a gas furnace in Denver?
Well, the cost to install a gas furnace in the Denver area typically costs anywhere from $4,500 to $12,000. Of course, the price of your replacement furnace depends on various factors such as: The size and brand of the furnace. The AFUE rating of the unit (efficiency) The warranty you choose.
What happens if your furnace isn't meeting your needs?
2. Your furnace isn’t meeting your heating needs. If your furnace struggles to keep your home warm and comfortable, it’s likely that the unit is either: And in the event of either of the above situations, you’re most likely paying more than you should in monthly operational costs.
How old is a furnace?
1. Your furnace is 10 years old or older. A furnace that’s 10+ years old is reaching the end of its lifespan, which means it wouldn’t be worth it to spend $2,000 on a dying unit. Think about it—would you buy a new engine for a broken down car?
Can a cracked heat exchanger cause carbon monoxide?
But we also know that if your heat exchanger truly is cracked, you don’t have much time to sit around and wait—a cracked heat exchanger will leak potentially fatal carbon monoxide into your breathing air as it heats your home.
How long does it take to repair a heat exchanger?
Standard heat exchanger maintenance or repair activities usually take a week or two. However, larger installations or more complex fixes take longer.
Why do we need to repair heat exchangers?
Maintenance or repair is also an opportunity to change the design or make another type of upgrade. As well as making the heat exchanger more efficient, we might be able to upgrade it so that it lasts longer next time.
How can companies mitigate wear and tear?
Companies can mitigate wear-and-tear and reduce the need for costly repairs, by undertaking heat exchanger maintenance activities according to a schedule.
Why do heat exchangers get dirty?
Some environments can cause heat exchangers to get dirty faster. For example, applications that involve exhaust gases, such as in marine charger coolers. An environment with lots of dust also leads to a build-up of dirt.
What causes heat exchangers to wear out?
We’ll start with the causes of heat exchanger wear. The main culprits are fouling, erosion and corrosion.
How to check for issues with a tube?
One way we check for issues involves taking the internal measurements of tubes using eddy current test probes. These tell you how thick the tube is and whether there is any wear on the inside. Using this data over a period of time, we can show at what rate the tube wall is thinning.
Can coolants corrode heat exchangers?
Corrosion can also be an issue. Coolants and other mediums can corrode the metals in a heat exchanger, damaging them over time and leading to residues that clog the heat pipes. Coolants can also wear down the surface of the heat exchanger tubes and pipes, thinning the material over time.
How to repair a furnace heat exchanger?
Before you can do any repairs, you should make sure that you check over your furnace heat exchanger thoroughly. Remove it from the furnace, and examine it in the light. Look for signs that the metal has been overheated, or symptoms of long-term metal fatigue. Examine the crack itself. Look for evidence of rust, wiping down the surface with a cloth if necessary. Take steps to address the cause of the problem, as well as performing the repair. You should also look for signs of discoloration around the crack, as this suggests that a large amount of carbon monoxide has been pumped out into the atmosphere. If you find this, you need to call in a professional at this point.
What happens if a furnace heat exchanger is not working?
Through this crack, combustion fumes can escape from the exchanger, and can build up in the room. This is dangerous, as one of the gases produced by the heat exchanger is carbon monoxide, a deadly poison which is virtually unnoticeable. In order to solve this problem, most people choose to replace the furnace heat exchanger, rather than run the risk of it developing more corrosion. Doing a repair such as this is a risk, as you could be exposing yourself to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, if you need to perform a quick fix, it can be done.
How to repair a crack in a metal furnace?
Once you are ready to begin the repair itself, put on your safety glasses and gloves. If you have a steel exchanger, then cut down a piece of sheet metal to cover the crack, plus 2 inches all the way around. Fire up a welder, and use the liquid metal to form a glue-like line around the edge of your sheet metal. Press this onto the furnace heat exchanger, and allow it to dry. Weld the sheet metal some more as it dries. If you have an iron heat exchanger, then you need to find an iron repair liquid, which uses chemical reactions to seal holes in iron. Pour a little bit of the chemical on the hole, and leave it to dry until it seals around the exchanger.
Can you replace a heat exchanger in a furnace?
Now that you have fixed the heat exchanger, replace it in the furnace. Operate it for as long as you need to, but it is important to get the exchanger replaced as soon as you are able to. You should add a carbon monoxide alarm to the space above the furnace. This will give you a clear warning if fumes are leaking from your furnace, and protect you from possible poisons. Furnace heat exchangers are a vital part of your furnace, so altering them could also invalidate any warranty that you have on the furnace.
