What is the Code for a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Canada?
In Canada, it’s crucial to maintain the safety and efficiency of the home heating systems. One of the primary parts of these systems is the heat exchanger. Since it is an important component, its market size witnessed a growth from $15.94 billion in 2021 to $16.64 billion in 2022.
However, having a cracked heat exchanger can lead to inefficient heating and carbon monoxide leaks. This can lead to high energy bills and dangerous conditions. Having a good understanding of the code of a cracked heat exchanger and its regulations is vital for all Canadian landlords, homeowners and HVAC specialists.
All these codes not only make sure that the heating systems work in a safe manner but also provide policies for all replacements, repairs, and inspections. Read this blog to learn it all!
The Code of the Cracked Heat Exchanger: What is It?
In Canada, the code for a cracked heat exchanger is “B149.1-15 Gas Code, which falls under Section 4.21.3. The particular code states that if the heat exchanger of an industrial or commercial machine is defective, it can be repaired.
However, all these repairs should be made in accordance with procedures that are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. You will not find any manufacturer in Canada that offers a field repair procedure for a heat exchanger. This means that you have to replace it.
Furthermore, if the HVAC system is over 15 years old, you should just get the entire unit replaced. It’s because preserving an outdated device may be expensive.
Consult with an HVAC specialist for the best guidance on how to manage a broken warmth exchanger. They will also let you evaluate the part’s functionality.
What Pushes the Heat Exchanger to Break?
The heat exchanger will not generate any undesirable issues if it’s maintained precisely. But certain things enable this HVAC component to crack:
- Worn and Strain: During routine use, the heat exchanger may become worn out. This can degrade the component, increasing the possibility of cracking.
- Pressure: Applying excessive strain on the thermal exchanger might cause cracks. This strain develops as a result of faulty installation or temperature variations, which create exhaustion in the heat exchanger material, resulting in fractures.
- Rust: Erosion is the primary cause of heat exchanger cracks. Corrosion happens when the exchanger becomes subjected to exhaust gases and humidity, which erode the metallic surfaces of the thermal exchanger.
How to Find Out That the Heat Exchanger Has Cracked?
Just like it’s essential to comprehend the code for a cracked heat exchanger, you should also remain mindful of the indications of a cracked heat exchanger. Some of these are:
Sign 1: Adjacent Parts are Cracked or Corroded
A cracked heat exchanger will release chemical fumes that can cause corrosion on the adjacent components of the HVAC unit. You might also witness cracks on these parts, which will let you know that the heat exchanger is malfunctioning.
Sign 2: Strong Odours
In Canada, an easy way to identify a cracked heat exchanger is when it starts to release a strong odour. These fumes are formed due to incorrect combustion of the gas. But remember, these strong fumes are highly toxic to humans. Call the HVAC specialist quickly once you detect it.
Sign 3: Golden Flame
Canadian weather can be deadly during the winters, and it’s important to have a furnace at the residence. When the furnace has a blue flame, it means that the heating system is healthy. But a flickering or moving golden flame means that there are cracks in the heat exchanger.
Sign 4: Health-Related Complaints
If you suddenly start to experience drowsiness, nausea, headaches, nose and eye tingle, or disorientation, it might be due to carbon monoxide. The release of chemicals means there are cracks in the HVAC’s heat exchanger.
Sign 5: Soot Development
When the heat exchangers have cracks in them, the component cannot complete the combustion work. This may lead to a formation of dirt/soot in the area outside and inside the HVAC vent unit. Soot within or on top of the HVAC system indicates a damaged warmth exchanger.
What Can the Heat Exchangers Do?
The heat exchanger of the HVAC unit can transfer thermal or heat energy effectively. It does so by utilizing gas, air refrigerant, steam or water to transform the cold air into warm during the winters and turn warm air into cold in the summer season.
However, these components are not made the same way. Different HVAC units have different heat exchangers. Furnaces/HVAC units located on the rooftop utilize flute or tube-like exchangers. On the other hand, the water-cooled exchangers have a plate or a coil design.
These exchangers are found in units that utilize glycol or water for centrifugal chillers or water-cooled heat pumps. Even though the systems have the kind of function, they might utilize different liquid or gas elements to cool or warm the air.
In other words, the thermal exchangers enable the heat transfer to make the cooling or heating of the system a bit more efficient. Using less energy will lower the energy bills, and it’s something every Canadian homeowner likes.
Preventing the Heat Exchanger from Cracking: How to Do So?
In Canada, following the code for a cracked heat exchanger is extremely crucial, but it’s also necessary to prevent the cracks from occurring. Heat exchanger problems normally occur because of poor airflow – an incorrect gas valve adjustment or air that’s way too cold is blown across it.
It’s important to maintain the heat exchanger so that you can enhance the longevity and efficiency of the HVAC unit. Proper servicing can prevent expensive repairs and also increase the system’s lifespan. In this section, you will learn about some important tips on maintaining and preventing problems in the heat exchanger.
Tips on Periodic Maintenance
- Replace or Clean the Filters: Clogged or mucky filters can lessen the airflow. This will make the heart exchanger overheat and work much harder. You must check the filters every month and get them replaced or cleaned every 1 month to 3 months.
- Clean and Examine the Vents: You must make sure that the registers and events are unobstructed and completely clean. This can maintain the airflow and will not put much strain on the exchanger.
- Look for Leaks: You should periodically inspect the HVAC unit for corrosion or leaks. When you take care of the leaks on time, it will prevent the heat exchanger and other parts from getting damaged.
- Check the Thermostat Settings: It’s crucial to make sure that the thermostat is operating perfectly and set at the correct temperature. You should not put the thermostat in extreme settings as it can force the HVAC unit to work pretty hard.
Annual Inspections by Licensed HVAC Professionals
Canadian homeowners can easily conduct the servicing of their HVAC unit by themselves. However, for the annual inspections, they should call a licensed and skilled HVAC specialist for the job. Here is how they can assist you:
Conduct Proper Inspection: HVAC experts can easily perform an exhaustive inspection of your heat exchanger and other parts. They can detect all the problems right before they turn into something much more severe.
Professional Cleaning: The HVAC professionals have the expertise and tools to properly clean the heat exchanger and various components of the system to make sure they function perfectly.
Performing Safety Checks: The experts easily look for safety hazards like carbon monoxide emissions and gas leaks to make sure the residence is secure and safe.
Efficiency Optimization: HVAC experts can also make all kinds of adjustments to enhance the efficiency of the HVAC system. This can surely reduce energy bills.
To Conclude!
Heat exchangers can help transmit warm energy in a hassle-free manner. It’s a vital piece of the HVAC unit and can turn cold air to hot and hot air to cold. But at times, these components can also develop cracks, which can prevent the unit from operating correctly.
If your system is experiencing heat exchanger-related problems, you must contact the team of experts at Smile HVAC. We can fix, replace or repair the exchanger by checking what exactly caused it to crack. We have a set of unique equipment and tools that help us complete the work on time. Get in touch now!
