The heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that is responsible for generating hot air. To create heat, your furnace burns natural gas. When gas is burned, exhaust byproducts travel through the heat exchanger. As the exhaust passes through the furnace’s exhaust outlet, metal is heated. Simultaneously, this hot metal heats the air. From there, your furnace system distributes hot air to your home through your air ducts.  

In order to function properly, the heat exchanger must remain sealed. That is why cracks are detrimental.

What Causes A Cracked Heat Exchanger?

The air inside your furnace and heat exchanger gets extremely hot. As a result, this extreme heat causes the metal inside the heat exchanger to expand and contract. Though well-maintained heat exchangers are built to tolerate this heat, eventually this stress causes cracks.

If your heat exchanger is several years old, stress cracks are common. However, if your heat exchanger is under 10 years old, there are other causes of cracking. Causes of premature heat exchanger cracking include limited airflow, and your furnace being too large for your home.

Limited Airflow

If they are not dealt with, cracked furnace heat exchangers can pose a serious safety risk. If you notice a strange smell coming from your furnace or signs of rust along the exterior, this may indicate that there is a problem.

Carbon Monoxide Leak

Flame-Out or Fire

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning are Trusted Saskatoon furnace experts. They show up on time, deliver on budget, and leave the work area cleaner than when they arrived! They take pride in their work in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from their clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.

Here are 5 fall plumbing tips to help protect your home this season. 

Tip #1: Disconnect and Store Outdoor Water Hoses

Since outdoor hoses are made from rubber, freezing and thawing weakens the material and causes cracks. Disconnecting hoses in the winter and storing them in an area of your home that does not reach freezing temperatures will ensure the longevity of your hose is maintained. If you leave your outdoor hose connected all winter long, any leftover water can freeze and expand. This causes faucets and any connected pipes inside your home to freeze and potentially burst. 

After disconnecting your outdoor house, it is important to check the faucet for any leaks. Faucet leaks can lead to water damage and cause plumbing issues when temperatures drop and things freeze. Once faucets are checked for leaks, it is a good idea to insulate them for further protection.

Tip #2: Shut Off Outside Faucets 

Tip #3: Inspect Your Hot Water Heater and Ensure Maintenance is Completed

The fall season is the perfect time to drain your hot water heater as it needs to work much harder in the cold months to provide hot water to your household. Maintenance includes flushing your hot water heater to remove sediment build up. The sediment build up is important to remove as it causes rust and can block proper heat transfer. Flushing your hot water heater will ensure it is operating efficiently, saving you money on your hot water bills. 

If your hot water heater is more than 20 years old it may be time to consider a replacement before something goes wrong. You do not want to be stuck without hot water, especially heading into winter.

Tip #4: Insulate Your Pipes

Be sure to insulate any pipes that may be exposed to cold temperatures such as those in your basement and garage. Insulating your pipes properly will prevent them from freezing in the winter. 

It is important to note that it is common for gaps to develop in the areas where pipes enter your home. These gaps between the pipes and the walls allow for cold air to get through. Cold air seepage can lead to pipes freezing and thus increase your heating bill. Luckily these gaps can be sealed using caulking and weather stripping, and taking the time to seal them can prevent larger issues down the road.

Tip #5: Inspect Your Sump Pump

A working sump pump is extremely important to prevent flooding as it removes excess water from the foundation of your property. If your sump pump is left exposed to extreme temperatures it can freeze. Freezing prevents your sump pump from operating correctly and can compromise its ability to protect your home. Be sure to inspect your sump pump this fall to ensure it is working as it should, or have it inspected by a professional if you are unsure.

Though furnaces do not cause allergies, they can be a culprit for making them worse. When summer ends and you switch your heat on for the first time, all the dust and allergens that have built up in heating ducts end up traveling through the ventilation. This impacts air quality in the household. In keeping allergies away, good air quality is key. Here are a few tips to keep your furnace from triggering your fall allergies.

1. Replace Your Furnace Air Filter

HVAC filters are designed to collect allergens. In order to do their job properly, they need to be replaced regularly. A clean filter is more effective at catching allergens and will improve the overall efficiency of your furnace system. Replacing your HVAC filter regularly is one of the best ways to reduce allergies and ensure everyone in your household can breathe easily.

2. Clean Your Air Ducts 

Water heaters account for nearly 20% of the average home energy bill. In fact, the only appliance that costs more to run than your water heater is your furnace. If you are looking to cut costs on your energy bill, water heaters are worth paying special attention to. Learn tips to reduce your water heater energy bill expenses from the experts at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Insulate your hot water heater tank and pipes.

If you have a hot water heater tank, ensure it is insulated. Not only does tank insulation prevent heat loss, but it also lowers the risk of fire in the home. The same goes for your hot water heater pipes. If the pipes are not insulated, your water heater has to work harder to heat water. In order to conserve heat energy, it is recommended that you insulate a minimum of 6 feet of piping.

2. Lower the thermostat temperature on your hot water heater. 

Heat traps are valves that trap heat energy that would otherwise be lost and can reduce your energy bill by up to $30 each month. Newer hot water heaters will come with heat traps already installed, so it is best to consider an upgraded unit rather than installing heat traps on your existing unit if your current hot water heater may be nearing the end of its life.

4. Use a timer on your hot water heater.

Traditional water heaters typically heat water all night long, which is very inefficient considering you do not use hot water at night. If you do not have a tankless water heater, installing a timer will give your water heater a rest and save you money.

5. Install low-flow faucets in your home.

Though this may seem like a bit of an investment, replacing your faucets with low-flow options can reduce annual hot water usage in your home by up to 60 percent. Installing low-flow faucets will ensure more money stays in your pocket.

6. Schedule maintenance service for your hot water heater.

Often, homeowners will maintain their own hot water heater tank, including draining and cleaning the unit themselves. This often leads to problems and ends up costing more money. It is best to let an experienced professional maintain your hot water heater. 

Let the experts at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning ensure your water heater is not costing you more than it should. Schedule your maintenance service today.

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing company. We show up on time, deliver on budget and we leave the work area cleaner than when we arrived! At JOB we take pride in our plumbing services in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from our clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.
JOB products and services include:

• Furnaces
• Boilers
• Air Conditioners
• Water Heaters
• Gas Lines
• Garage Heaters 

‘Your Comfort is Our Concern!’

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers

Clogged air filters are the primary cause of cooling system problems. Is it time to replace your air filter? Learn the effects a clogged air filter has on Air Conditioning systems from the experts at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning.

Clogged Air Filters Cause Air Conditioning Units to Work Overtime

Clogged Air Filters Cause Inadequate Cooling of Your Home

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning show up on time, deliver on budget, and leave the work area cleaner than when we arrived! 

• Furnaces

• Boilers

• Air Conditioners

• Water Heaters

• Gas Lines

• Garage Heaters 

‘Your Comfort is Our Concern!’

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Trusted Saskatoon Air Conditioning Experts