Because natural gas doesn’t have any latent heat, gas furnaces need an ignition system to combust the gas and create heat for your home. Your furnace ignitor is a key component that ensures gas furnaces function safely and efficiently. If the ignitor is damaged or malfunctioning, your furnace may operate poorly or in some cases not at all. How do you tell if your furnace ignitor is faulty?
Diagnosing the problem depends on the type of furnace ignitor you have. While old furnaces might have a standing pilot light, electronic ignitors are the most likely type for modern gas furnaces. We’ll review the differences in each type as well as how a faulty ignitor affects your furnace and what components can keep the ignitor from working.
Your furnace ignitor is a key component in the heating cycle. It provides the heat necessary to combust the furnace’s natural gas supply. This heat is exchanged into the HVAC system’s air handler before moving into your ductwork. Without the furnace ignitor, your heating might as well be an expensive fan.
Older furnaces used to have a standing pilot light to keep the gas ignited. This tiny flame would remain lit even between heating cycles. Modern furnaces have moved on to an electronic ignition system, and these ignitors are safer and more energy efficient. The two most popular types of electronic furnace ignitor are:
Your furnace probably has one of these electronic ignitors. Since they’re kept inside the furnace, damage or component failure isn’t always noticeable. Instead, the furnace may stop running like it is supposed to. This is often the first sign you have a faulty furnace ignitor.
A faulty furnace ignitor can impact normal operation in multiple ways. These range from stopping the furnace from running entirely to constant cycles of starting and stopping. Have you noticed your furnace acting in any of the following ways?
The furnace won’t start: Combusting natural gas can be hazardous, especially if a component of the furnace isn’t functioning properly. When the ignitor is malfunctioning, safety features will stop the furnace from running entirely to prevent further damage or additional problems.
The furnace blows cool air: Unheated air coming through your ductwork is a surefire sign something is malfunctioning. The furnace might not recognize that the ignitor is malfunctioning and other components like the air handler will function as normal.
The furnace is short cycling: This aggravating problem means the furnace’s heating cycles are too short or repetitive. Not only will it be inadequate for heating your home, but it results in extra strain on the furnace itself. Short cycling can occur when the furnace ignitor turns on and off, which activates the safety features and shuts the furnace off.
In other cases, the ignitor won’t work because another component of your furnace is malfunctioning. When making a furnace repair call, professional technicians in the U.S. might check the following components as well:
Calling a professional technician for furnace repair in the U.S. is the quickest way to solve a problem with the furnace ignitor. They’ll have the tools and training to narrow down potential causes and can start with the most obvious culprits. Over the course of diagnostics, the technician may try several things, including:
Costs can vary depending on the model of both the furnace and the electronic ignitor. With parts and labor, homeowners could expect to spend around $100 to $350 on replacement costs. The average life span of the furnace ignitor is seven7 years, so in some cases the problem is a result of the ignitor simply becoming too old to function properly. Whatever the problem is, a certified technician can find the source and offer the most cost-effective solutions.
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for a very long time. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your educational journey or giving advice to someone who is, it’s important to... Continue reading
When you’re ready to replace your old furnace, don’t assume that a new furnace is your only choice. This may be the default choice for most North American homeowners, but heat pumps are steadily growing in popularity. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the best choice for you? Explore... Continue reading
If you’re realizing that it’s time to upgrade your furnace, one of the first steps is to settle on an efficiency rating. That rating selection will have an effect on your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating in the future. Use this guide to learn more about AFUE ratings and how... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.