A furnace ignition problem can cause you to have no heat. Fortunately, furnace ignitors can be repaired or replaced to restore the spark and get your heating system working again. Ignitors aren’t difficult to replace, but your heater and its ignition system are complex. Let’s look at signs of your furnace not igniting, how to troubleshoot the issue, and why you should hire a qualified heating contractor for repairs.
Understanding Your Furnace’s Ignition System
If you have a combustion furnace, it uses an ignition system to light the burners. These burners produce heat. When your furnace is not heating your home, an ignitor malfunction is a possible cause.
There are different types of ignition systems. Each works a little differently but has the same purpose. The ignitor in your heating unit may be one of the following:
- Standing Pilot Light: Found only in older furnaces, a standing pilot light remains on while the furnace is running. Its flame ignites the burners, but since it always stays on, it wastes energy.
- Intermittent Pilot Light: The pilot light turns on only if the burners need to be ignited. When signaled by the thermostat, an electronic ignitor produces a spark that lights the flame.
- Hot Surface Ignitor: A hot surface ignitor stays off until the system calls for heat. It’s triggered by an electric current that heats a flat ceramic material, which in turn ignites the burners.
- Direct Spark: An electronic direct spark ignition system stays off until the thermostat calls for heat. Then it produces a spark to turn on the burners.
Signs of a Faulty Furnace Ignitor
A furnace not heating can occur for many reasons. You can pinpoint the issue even before calling a furnace repair company by looking for the following signs:
- The Furnace Stops Working: The system doesn’t turn on no matter how cold it gets in your home or how high you set the thermostat.
- There’s No Warm Air: Without a working ignitor, you’ll get no heat from a furnace. Even if the unit keeps running, it will blow only cold air.
- Your Heating System Short Cycles: Short-cycling is when your furnace turns on and off constantly. An internal problem, such as a faulty ignitor, triggers a safety mechanism to shut the system off. It will then turn back on a short time later.
- The Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping: If your furnace breaker repeatedly trips soon after the unit starts, the ignitor may be drawing too much or too little electricity. Or, there may be a short circuit.
- The Blower Turns Off: The furnace may stop blowing as a fail-safe, but this could indicate an ignitor problem, a dirty air filter, or debris in the furnace or air ducts.
- You Hear Clicking Sounds But Nothing Happens: The spark created by the ignitor makes a clicking sound. If you hear this click but the furnace doesn’t start up, there may be a faulty flame sensor or other issue.
Troubleshooting Furnace Ignition Problems
Some furnace troubleshooting can help you determine if the ignitor has gone bad. If your furnace isn’t running or producing heat, check if the thermostat is set to “Heat” and the set temperature is higher than the current room temperature. Resetting the thermostat may get the furnace to kick in; if not, consider calling a professional.
You can also check the flame sensor to see if it’s covered in soot or debris. Depending on the furnace model and your skill set, you may be able to clean it. You could also check the ignitor itself, but be sure to unplug your furnace, turn off the gas valve, and wait for the furnace to cool off. The ignitor is a small device near the gas input; connected by electrical wires, a spark ignitor has a white ceramic base, flat metal surface, and two metal prongs.
You can test the ignitor if you know how to use a multimeter. However, this requires the following steps:
- Disconnect the ignitor’s wiring.
- Turn on the power and wait for the inducer motor to start.
- Connect the meter’s probes to the appropriate terminals.
- Check the voltage at the ignitor connection.
- If the value is above or below 120V, replace the ignitor.
When to Call an HVAC Professional
Gas furnace repair can be dangerous without experience. If adjusting the thermostat or changing the filter doesn’t get your furnace running, or the circuit breaker trips more than once, it’s time to call a professional. Most signs of a furnace ignition problem, including loud bangs that signal a delayed ignition, clicking sounds, gas odors, or the furnace not igniting, involve issues that require an expert diagnosis and repair.
Benefits of Hiring an HVAC Professional
Allowing an inexperienced person to service your heater, or trying to fix it yourself, is a bad idea. One mistake can cost you a lot of money. But that’s not the only reason you need an HVAC professional. In addition to long-term savings, hiring a licensed heating contractor for furnace troubleshooting and repair has the following benefits:
- Safety: Gas leaks, electrocution, and other hazards may be present. Heater issues can involve problems with fuel lines, wiring, or the heat exchanger.
- Experience: Licensed technicians have years of experience. Their training has instilled knowledge of different makes and models and how to fix many problems.
- Specialized Tools and Equipment: HVAC contractors have tools, equipment, and supplies the ordinary person doesn’t have. These are necessary to repair a furnace correctly.
- Licensed and Insured: An HVAC company must be licensed in the state in which it operates. It must also have liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance while being bonded means you’re not responsible for substandard work.
- Warranty: The contractor may include a work-related guarantee for the repair. Meanwhile, fixing the unit yourself or hiring an unauthorized party will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Finding a Qualified HVAC Technician
There are a few reasons for your furnace not igniting. No matter what type of furnace ignition you have, a licensed, qualified HVAC contractor can evaluate the symptoms, troubleshoot the problem, and make the appropriate electric or gas furnace repair. But first, you need to find the right technician. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps to find one:
- Search the Internet for licensed HVAC technicians in your area.
- Read reviews of heating contractors near you.
- Ask friends, neighbors, and family members for recommendations.
- Research if the company is licensed, certified, and insured.
- Ask the company about its experience in furnace repair.
- Schedule an in-home consultation and evaluation.
- Get an estimate and contract in writing.
FAQs
Why Do Furnace Ignitors Fail?
A furnace ignitor can wear out with age. One can also fail prematurely if it’s incompatible with your furnace model. Other potential causes of ignitor failure include a bad limit switch, a power surge, or an issue with the control board, thermocouple, or pressure switch.
Can I Fix or Replace a Furnace Ignitor Myself?
Replacing a furnace ignitor is not difficult. However, we strongly recommend hiring a professional, as a mistake can trigger a gas leak, electrical shock, or damage to your heating system.
What Happens If I Ignore a Furnace Ignition Problem?
Ignoring an ignition problem can lead to major damage to your furnace. Aside from your heater shutting down, it can lead to gas buildup, a fire, or an explosion. A bad ignitor can also cause delayed ignition, which may trigger small explosions inside the combustion chamber. Combustion issues can also trigger a carbon monoxide leak.
How Can I Determine if Something Else Is Causing No Heat?
The ignitor can be inspected and tested. However, various issues can have similar symptoms to a faulty furnace ignition. It’s best to hire a technician to diagnose and fix the problem.
Contact Express Plumbing Heating & Air
We provide all types of furnace repair in Boise, ID, whether you have a furnace ignition problem or an issue with a flame sensor, thermocouple, limit switch, or control board. Our technicians are fully licensed and certified as well as prompt and reliable. We’re also known for high-quality heater installation and furnace maintenance in the Treasure Valley. To request service, learn about our financing options and protection plans, or speak with a representative or a member of our management team, call (208) 203-7360 today.
