What Is a Heat Exchanger & How Does It Work?
Ever had an HVAC contractor come to your home for furnace repair and tell you what’s wrong, but you’re still in the dark? If we just said “Hey, your warm air plenum is leaking,” you probably would have no idea what’s going on. We might as well have just told you the gibble is floundering for all the sense it makes.
Well, here at Signature HVAC, we like to make sense. Our goal is to always bring you the hands-down best service in West Chester. But we also want you to understand what exactly is going on with your system, and why it needs to be fixed! And that’s what we’re going to do today—we’re going to clue you in on what a heat exchanger is, how it works, and what can go wrong with it.
Looking for furnace repairs that are guaranteed to provide fast, effective solutions? Contact Signature HVAC online today to get the quality service you deserve!
What Is a Heat Exchanger?
It is extremely easy to make heat exchangers confusing, which is funny, since the component and its functions are actually fairly simple. So in a bare-bones explanation, a heat exchanger transfers heat between two substances without those substances interacting directly. An exchanger is a network of tubes or coils that allows the movement of two fluids (fun fact: the term fluid can mean either liquids or gasses; in the case of your exchanger, it can mean either or, depending on the model and brand) through them.
Put simply, these fluids are generating and exchanging heat, all the while your blower fan is blowing air across the exchanger system. This air grabs up all of that heat from the exchanger assembly and makes its way into your ducts, where warmth is delivered into your home.
It’s…still a bit confusing, isn’t it? Let’s look at it this way: When something you want to eat is too hot, you blow on it to cool it off. In the case of an exchanger, it’s the hot food and that air blowing over it is transferring heat from the exchanger and into your home. So essentially, the exchanger is the assembly in your furnace, whether it be gas or electric, that actually does the heating part.
What Can Go Wrong With a Heat Exchanger?
As you might expect, a damaged heat exchanger basically means you’re not getting any heating at all until it’s fixed. The most common issue you’ll find with these is that they may crack when they become too old, or aren’t getting proper maintenance. A cracked heat exchanger is not only going to keep you from staying comfortable, but it can be a health and safety risk in your home, too, since a crack will allow gas or liquid leakage.
Comprehensive Furnace Repair Services in West Chester
So, now you know! Is the furnace in your home acting up and causing trouble? If so, you can rely on the professionals at Signature HVAC to meet all of your furnace repair needs! We carry extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to rooting out your furnace problems, be it an exchanger, or anything else. Don’t wait, give our team a call at 610-738-8310 or contact us online today!
