Furnace Heat Exchanger Inspection in Delta: What We Can See and Test

The heat exchanger is the part of a gas furnace that keeps fire and house air apart. Burners heat the inside of it; the blower pushes your home’s air across the outside. When it’s sound, you get warm air without combustion products. When it cracks or corrodes through, some furnace designs can let those two streams mix. ROMA Heating & Cooling’s heat exchanger inspection in Delta is a focused, honest look at that part — what we can see, what we can test, and what we can’t.

ROMA is a TSBC-licensed gas contractor (Gas LGA0202903), bonded and insured, and has worked on furnaces across Delta since 1999.

Why would someone book a heat exchanger inspection?

Delta homeowners usually call us for one of these reasons:

• A previous technician mentioned a possible crack and they want a second look
• A carbon monoxide alarm went off and the furnace is the suspect
• The furnace is older, and they want to know before winter whether it’s still sound
• They see soot, rust or scorch marks around the burners
• The flame looks different, or the furnace shuts itself off on a safety switch
• They’re buying or selling a home and the furnace’s condition matters

If a CO alarm is sounding, get everyone out and call 911 first. If you smell gas, leave, avoid switches, and call FortisBC’s emergency line and 911 from outside. We inspect once the home has been cleared.

What does the inspection involve?

Call a licensed ROMA gas technician — (604) 704-0300

There’s no single test that proves a heat exchanger is perfect, so we combine several:

Together, those give a much clearer picture than any one method alone. The technician also looks at the furnace as a whole — burner condition, the inducer fan, the flue connection, the cabinet and any rust trails running down from the heat exchanger area — because a heat exchanger problem rarely exists in isolation. Water stains, flaking metal on the burners, or a scorched patch on the cabinet near the burner opening all help fill in what can’t be seen directly.

What do we find in Delta homes?

Delta’s three communities have different housing, and that shows up in furnaces too.

In North Delta, many 1960s-to-80s split-levels have furnaces in a lower-level utility room, often a second- or third-generation unit. Older mid-efficiency furnaces there are where we most often see rust on the heat exchanger and burners, sometimes from years of restricted airflow through a clogged filter.

In Ladner, damp air and older homes mean rust on burners and cabinets is common. Furnaces in crawlspaces or garages can show corrosion from the outside as well.

In Tsawwassen, wind-exposed houses sometimes have venting problems that affect how the furnace burns. We check the flue and termination as part of the inspection, since poor venting can stress the heat exchanger.

Why does airflow matter so much?

A heat exchanger is designed to run within a certain temperature range. When airflow across it is restricted — by a clogged filter, closed or blocked registers, undersized return ducts or a weak blower — it runs hotter than it should. Over years, that repeated overheating is one of the main reasons heat exchangers crack. We check the filter, look at the return and supply airflow, and note whether the high-limit switch shows signs of frequent tripping. Fixing airflow won’t mend a crack, but it can protect a healthy heat exchanger.

What about high-efficiency furnaces?

High-efficiency furnaces have two heat exchangers: a primary one that the flame heats directly, and a secondary one that pulls extra heat from the exhaust and produces condensate. The secondary heat exchanger can corrode if condensate isn’t draining properly. We check the condensate system and look for signs of corrosion where we can see.

What happens if we find a crack?

We shut the furnace off, show you what we saw — often with a photo — and explain why it isn’t safe to run. It stays off until it’s repaired or replaced. Then we talk through options honestly: in some cases a heat exchanger can be replaced; in others, especially on older furnaces, replacing the whole furnace makes more sense. You’ll get written, flat-rate prices for each path. Financing is available OAC. Our furnace repair page covers repair options in more detail.

If we can’t find a problem, we’ll say so, and tell you what we couldn’t see. An inspection finding nothing is good news, but no honest technician can promise a heat exchanger is flawless without taking the furnace apart.

When should Delta homeowners book?

• When a technician has flagged a possible crack and you want a second opinion
• After a CO alarm, once responders have cleared the home
• When the furnace is older and you’re planning for winter
• When you see soot, rust or scorch marks near the burners
• When the flame changes as the blower starts
• Before buying or selling a home

ROMA works seven days a week, and 221 Google reviews have earned us 4.8 stars.

Tell us what you have — the brand, the model, and what it’s doing — and we’ll come back with the honest picture. Call (604) 704-0300 or book a Delta heat exchanger inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell for sure if my Delta furnace's heat exchanger is cracked?

Sometimes a crack is clearly visible and there’s no doubt. Other times, parts of the heat exchanger are hidden without dismantling the furnace. We combine visual checks, flame observation, carbon monoxide testing and airflow review, and tell you honestly what we found and what we couldn’t see.

I was told my heat exchanger is cracked. Can ROMA give a second opinion?

Yes. Second opinions are one of the most common reasons Delta owners book this inspection. We’ll do our own assessment without assuming the first diagnosis was right or wrong, show you what we find, and explain it plainly. If we see a crack, we’ll show you where.

Does a cracked heat exchanger in a Delta furnace always leak carbon monoxide?

Not always in a way that shows up in every test, which is why we use several methods. Depending on the crack and furnace design, combustion products may or may not mix with house air. Either way, a cracked heat exchanger means the furnace shouldn’t be run until it’s repaired or replaced.

Should I replace the heat exchanger or the whole furnace?

It depends on the furnace’s age, overall condition and parts availability. On a younger furnace in good shape, replacing the heat exchanger can make sense. On an older one, a new furnace is often the better use of money. We give you written, flat-rate prices for both options.

How can I protect my furnace's heat exchanger?

Keep the filter clean, keep supply and return grilles unblocked, and have the furnace serviced regularly so airflow and burner problems are caught early. Restricted airflow is a leading cause of overheating and cracking. We check airflow during every heat exchanger inspection and explain any improvements.

Reviewed by the ROMA Heating & Cooling team — TSBC-licensed gas contractor (Gas LGA0202903), serving Greater Vancouver since 1999. Updated September 2026.