When things go wrong with your furnace, you need professionals who can complete repairs and replacements and answer your questions efficiently. For example, you may be wondering, “Can you replace a heat exchanger in a furnace, or can you replace specific parts?”
BVS Home Experts is your trusted HVAC team in Katy, TX, who can replace various parts of your furnace, including the heat exchanger or furnace filter, while also providing new furnace installation in Houston if necessary. We understand the ins and outs of heat exchangers and are here to provide you with more information, from explaining what a heat exchanger does to signs one is going bad.
What Is the Heat Exchanger?
The heat exchanger is one of many parts of a working furnace. Sometimes, there is more than one heat exchanger in the furnace. Essentially, the exchanger is designed to transfer heat from one area to another.
How Does the Heat Exchanger Work?
Simply put, the heat exchangers are made from coils that are encapsulated in metal. These coils allow heat to flow through the material while removing harmful gasses like carbon monoxide. This way, warm or cool air can flow through the ventilation system without any dangerous gases.
Is a Heat Exchanger Replaceable?
Can you replace a heat exchanger in a furnace? Yes, you can; like most parts, you can switch out the heat exchanger for a newer version. That said, this is a task that’s generally best left to the professionals. They can source the right part, carefully remove your old heat exchanger, and replace it with a new one.
Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention
While troubleshooting should be left to the professionals, you should know some tell-tale signs indicate an issue with your furnace or heat exchanger. Some of these signs include but are not limited to the following:
- Strange noises coming from the furnace
- Inconsistent Heating and Cooling
- Lack of adequate airflow
- The thermostat temperature does not match the home temperature
- Carbon monoxide alarms, which are an urgent emergency
- Higher than usual utility bills
- Any abnormal or odd smells coming from the furnace
Assess the Function of Your Current Furnace
Before you assume it’s your heat exchanger acting up, professionals must inspect your furnace to ensure no other problems are going on beneath the surface.
During inspections, HVAC technicians can check numerous parts of your furnace. These inspections include but are not limited to the heat exchanger, pilot light, furnace filter, ductwork, condensers, compressors, evaporator coils, and fans.
Once your furnace receives these professional-level inspections, you’ll know how to move forward more clearly while considering which repair or replacement options are wise investments for your home.
Cost To Replace a Heat Exchanger
If you need to replace parts of your furnace, you may be wondering about the exact cost to replace a heat exchanger. On average, you can expect the heat exchanger replacement cost to range between $300 and $900, excluding labor costs.
With most home appliances, many factors affect the cost of replacement, including the following.
Warranties
You may have a parts warranty depending on the brand or where you purchased your furnace. This type of warranty ensures that when a part breaks or an essential component of the furnace is not functioning correctly, you can get a replacement part, typically free of charge. Receiving the specific part for free due to the warranty is a great way to save money if you need a replacement.
Size
Another factor that can increase or decrease the cost of replacing a heat exchanger is the size of your furnace. Larger furnaces with greater heating capacity typically have more expensive heat exchanger costs. On the other hand, smaller furnaces generally have smaller parts and use fewer materials, leading to less expensive replacement costs.
Brand
Just like the furnace can drastically fluctuate in price based on brand, the same principle applies to replacing the heat exchanger. For example, if you have a more expensive brand furnace, your replacement parts will likely cost more than a standard baseline model. The brand and model can be found on the furnace with a unique serial number.
Age
Another commonly overlooked element that can affect the cost of replacing your heat exchanger is the age of your furnace. If your current furnace is very old, finding the appropriate part that matches and works for your unit may increase the replacement costs.
Labor
The most expensive part of replacing your heat exchanger can be the labor costs. Once you have the heat exchanger part, you need a professional and qualified HVAC technician to complete the installation process. Labor costs vary between $70 and $125 per hour.
Should You Buy a New Furnace or Replace Your Heat Exchanger?
After careful consideration, you may be wondering if you should replace your heat exchanger or buy a new furnace. The answer to this question is multifaceted and is best made with the advice of a licensed HVAC technician.
If your heat exchanger replacement and any other additional repairs cost over $2,000, consider a new furnace, which costs anywhere from $2,800 to $6,000. However, if the cost of replacing the primary heat exchanger and labor is lower, then completing the replacement is the ideal option.
Another final factor to consider is the age of your furnace. If the furnace is 10 years old or younger, it likely has another 10 years left, but if it is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider getting a new one because the replacement cost and lack of efficiency outweigh its longevity.
Choose Houston Area HVAC Experts for All HVAC Services
Can you replace a heat exchanger in a furnace? Let BVS Home Experts answer all of your HVAC-related questions, like what causes soft lockout on a furnace, how much certain repairs may cost, and more.
Take control of your home’s heating and cooling. Call BVS Home Experts in Katy, TX, at (281) 809-6417 for free diagnostic checks or to schedule your HVAC repairs!
