Furnaces have an average lifespan of around 10 years, and most exchangers tend to go out around this time. If your furnace is close to this 10-year mark, a new furnace is likely a better investment. If your furnace is relatively new, a new heat exchanger may be worth it to avoid early furnace replacement.
Not an easy decision. A new heat exchanger could get you 10 or more additional years out of the current furnace. Or, something else that is expensive to fix could happen next year. A new furnace would give some savings on fuel, but payback on the extra $5000 could easily be 10 years.
In the past, heat exchangers were often built with heavy metals, such as cast iron. These exchangers can last as long as 30 or 40 years, much longer than the steel exchangers most manufacturers build today. Modern stainless or aluminized steel heat exchangers typically have a life span of 15 to 25 years.
Unfortunately, the cost of replacing a heat exchanger isn't the most affordable choice. The cost of replacing a heat exchanger ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. Replacing your furnace's heat exchanger would be a good route to take if your furnace is fairly new.
A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.
Repair: If your furnace system is less than 15 years old and the cost of repair is less than half the cost of replacement. Replace: If your furnace system is more than 15 years old and requires a costly repair to maintain efficiency.
Although a furnace will continue to heat your home even with a cracked heat exchanger, it is not safe to continue using your furnace. Using a cracked heat exchanger allows for certain toxic gases to escape from the furnace including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Because replacing a heat exchanger can take up to eight hours or longer, it represents the bulk of the cost. If your warranty is expired, and you would need to pay both parts and labor for a new heat exchanger, look further into whether a full unit replacement would be more advantageous for you.
Clogged filters reduce the air flow that result in development of cracks inside the system. Other reasons for reduced air flow are the dirty fan blades, dirty duct work, and obstructed air vents. All of these factors can cause major damage to the heat exchanger.
What is the average life of a residential furnace? A furnace that receives regular maintenance can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend the life of a furnace even longer.
And remember, trying to replace a heat exchanger without professional assistance can pose potential hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning and other safety risks.
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.
Consumers filed the Trane defective AC class action lawsuit alleging that some Trane and American Standard air conditioners contain unapproved rust inhibitors. This reportedly causes sticky deposits to form in and clog the thermostatic expansion value (TXV), which can in turn, cause the air conditioners to fail.
Furnaces have an average lifespan of around 10 years, and most exchangers tend to go out around this time. If your furnace is close to this 10-year mark, a new furnace is likely a better investment. If your furnace is relatively new, a new heat exchanger may be worth it to avoid early furnace replacement.
The longer the damage remains, the more likely the heat exchanger will leak carbon monoxide, a potentially fatal odorless gas. It's necessary to contact a qualified HVAC professional to assess your heat exchanger's condition. Serious damage may warrant a total furnace replacement.
A heat exchanger can be repaired in some instances, but this is often considered a temporary solution rather than a permanent fix. Repairing a heat exchanger involves welding the cracks or applying heat-resistant epoxy.
Heat exchanger prices depend on several factors, quality, size, energy efficiency, and whether it is a gas or electric furnace. The average cost of replacing your exchanger is about $1,500. However, it can cost as little as $500 or as much as $3,500.
Installing a bypass on the heat exchanger is one of the most efficient solutions for its control and operability. Typical process heat exchangers equipped with bypass for control of heat recovery are the feed-effluent heat exchangers (FEHE) used for pre-heating reactors or distillation column feed.
You should expect to spend between $3,800 and $12,00 on a new furnace, including both the unit and installation costs. Factors influencing the price include the type of furnace (gas, electric, or oil), the unit's efficiency rating, and the complexity of the installation.
Your base homeowners policy will cover many types of damage to your furnace. An extra endorsement known as Equipment Breakdown Coverage (EBC) will give you additional coverage for certain types of mechanical or electrical failure.
Installation Entails More than Just the Furnace
For a gas-powered furnace, a contractor must set up a gas connection and vent. Installing an electric furnace requires running wiring, adding a circuit breaker, or perhaps updating an electrical panel. Holes are often drilled for pipes and wires.
Goodman has furnaces with 80% to 98% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The AFUE rating is a standard rating required for all heating systems, and the 98% AFUE rating of the Goodman GMVM97 Gas Furnace means that 98 cents of every dollar is used as energy to warm a home.