Heating : Heat exchanger split

[Mike]

I have a house with a warm air system which has been condemned as the heat exchanger is split !!!!

They have suggest a 'new' wet system. What is a heat exchanger and can they not be fixed ???? I can see a big bill coming !

Thanks

Mike

[punky]

If they are anything like the traditional old boilers, the heat exchangers are made of cast iron which are no longer made... So yep, extremely expensive to replace.

A heat exchanger transfers the heat generated from the boiler etc, into the water, giving you hot water for your radiators or taps.

[Rob]

Heat exchanger will be the major part of the innards of the gas heater unit. On one side of the exhanger will be the flames from the gas, on the other side will be the air that is being heated to then be blown around your house. The exchanger is more complex than that since it will have many fins of metal inside and out to assist the transfer of heat from flame to air. But if it has split then not only do the flames get through, bit more importantly the flue gases which then get blown around the inside of your house.

Warm air systems, the ones that have little ducts in floors or walls linked back to the centre of the house where your heater is, have lost favour. They can be quick and efficient if properly sized, but those with asthma or dust allegies loathe them as they circulate so much around the house.

Having said that get quotes. Replacing with a wet system may improve the saleability of your house, but could be quite disruptive given you'd need radiators in each room.

[Mike]

Oh dear..................looks like Christmas will be cancelled !

Thanks for the detailed replies

Mike

[ian@huth]

http://www.johnsonandstarleyltd.co.uk/default_a.asp is one of the UK's main sources of spares for warm air heating systems. Have a look on their site to see if you can find your heating system model listed or give them a call.

What caused the heat exchanger to split? Maybe the cost of repair could be covered by your home insurance.