Gas-powered furnaces are extremely efficient and reliable sources of heat. Some homeowners worry about the safety of these appliances, but the truth is that today’s are built with much better technology that significantly reduces the risk of gas leaks and similar problems. However, one component of your furnace that you do need to be aware of is the heat exchanger. Cracks along this component are a concern and require the immediate attention of a professional, such as any member of our team.

The heat exchanger’s role is to collect the hot combustion gas from the burner and transfer the heat to its metal walls, where it transfers to the current of air from the blower. This keeps fumes from the combustion gas away from the air that moves into the ventilation system, reducing your exposure to said fumes. Once the combustion gas cools, then it vents out of the heat exchange and safely up the exhaust flue, and out of your home.

Gas furnaces do not use water, but corrosion and rust can still occur. This is because they are a natural reaction between metal and combustion gas. When corrosion begins to form on an aging furnace, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to start thinking about a replacement. However, if your furnace is on the newer side, then you could have a problem with proper exhaust venting, which can cause corrosion on the exchanger—weakening it until it cracks.

What happens when your heat exchanger cracks? Well, it will start to leak combustion gas into the furnace cabinet, and this is where the danger lies when using a gas furnace. Carbon monoxide gas has a high toxicity and potential to make you and your family very ill. To be on the safe side, if you see any signs of corrosion on your furnace whatsoever, it is best to call in our professionals for inspection.

As Des Moines’ Top Rated Local® electrician, it is a high priority for us to be available day and night. While uncommon, electrical emergencies do take place after business hours, and we strive to be available for any emergency electrician needs that Des Moines homeowners have. We get it: emergencies don’t sleep or take a day off, and we will gladly come out in the middle of the night or on a holiday to keep your family and home safe. If you suspect that you are experiencing an electrical emergency, please call us immediately at 515-446-7040.

Homeowners vary greatly in their willingness to label something as an emergency. For some, a tripped circuit breaker could feel like an emergency, while others wait until sparking or popping sounds are heard to draw the line. Regardless of how you define a dire situation, it never hurts to call an emergency electrician if you suspect that an issue may be dangerous for you to approach or repair on your own, if your home or family may be in danger, or if you’re just unsure about what the issue may be. After all, talking with a local electrician about the issue is going to be much more reliable and specific to your case’s needs than a simple Google search. Your electrician may find that you do infact have an emergency that a qualified professional needs to take care of right away, and that would make the call well worth it.

We never recommend attempting to do electrical work yourself, especially if that work means consulting a search engine for a quick how-to. Often electrical problems are complicated, and require a professional to safely find the root of the issue. If you ever have an electrical emergency in the middle of the night, please do not try to take matters into your own hands or save it until morning. Electrical issues can quickly lead to injury, damages to your home, or worse, and it really isn’t worth the risk. In Des Moines, this means calling the emergency electricians at Electrical Gurus for day or night electrical services.