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As mentioned above, sometimes the cause of a furnace ignitor failing to ignite is due to a safety issue, such as a clogged air filter, for instance. So, if your furnace is failing to ignite, it’s a good idea to check the air filter. If it looks clogged up, then this is probably the source of the problem.
What causes a hot surface ignitor to burn out?
A furnace control board where the ignitor relay on the control board is stuck closed and keeps the ignitor burning all the time. Debris from the heat exchanger or bugs/spiders can get on the ignitor while the furnace is not calling for heat and when there is a call for heat the debris/bug can short the ignitor out.
Why does furnace ignitor keep going bad?
Most of the time when ignitors go bad that often it is because the ignitor is not shutting off after the gas in the furnace is ignited. If the ignitor stays on for an extended period of time this will make the ignitor short-lived.
How do I know if my hot surface ignitor is bad?
4 Signs of a Faulty Furnace Ignitor The Furnace Stops Running. When a furnace won’t run at all, check for a bad ignitor. Your Furnace Blows Chilly Air. Unless you’ve set your thermostat to COOL, your furnace should not blow cold air. Does Your Furnace Short Cycle? A No Glow Ignitor. We Can Replace Your Furnace Ignitor.
How long do hot surface igniters last?
No matter which type of ignitor is in your furnace, this chain of events lights your heater so that it blows hot air. Don’t worry—an ignitor that goes bad is common for most furnaces. Fortunately, you can replace the ignitor without replacing the full furnace. Most ignitors last about seven years.
How much does it cost to replace furnace ignitor?
Here’s the bottom line: Whether for a natural gas furnace, oil, or a propane furnace, replacing a furnace ignitor–including parts and labor–will cost you around $300 – $425 for a qualified contractor to install. Compare that to, say, a draft inducer motor, which will cost $400 – $1,500 to replace.
What happens to a hot surface ignition system if the igniter fails to ignite the gas?
The gas valves would open to ignite the gas. When the light failed to come on, the heater would not function and the furnace would be unable to produce any heat. When the system gets warm enough, the gas begins to flow into the burner and the ignitor will light up. An intermittent system uses an electric spark instead.
Are furnace ignitors universal?
This universal ignitor is a replacement part for use in gas-fired appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and boilers, compatible with over 150-OEM models.
Are hot surface ignitors interchangeable?
And each brand has different models. Within the same brand they might be more similar but no guarantee. And what makes matters worse is that the igniter you are replacing is probably broken. So if it was a hot wire igniter you won’t be able to compare the resistances to a new one to see if they might perform similarly.
Can a furnace ignitor be cleaned?
If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it’s working haphazardly, it too could be covered with soot, and a blast of compressed air may be enough to clean it. Compressed air can also clean a blocked pilot tube that is causing the pilot flame to burn weakly or not at all.
How many ohms should a hot surface ignitor have?
A good silicon nitride hot surface ignitor will have a resistance of 30 to 75 ohms. Greater than 75 ohms indicates a failing or failed hot surface ignitor. If you get 0 or ∞ or no reading at all, it mean that the resistance is broken, so the igniter is broken and should be replaced.
How do I know if my furnace gas valve is bad?
If 24 volts is coming from the board to the gas valve terminals and you don’t hear that little clicking noise the internal valve makes, you could have a bad gas valve. To double-check, take the leads off to the gas valve and check there.
How much is a hot surface ignitor?
Universal hot-surface ignitor prices are $15 to $35 or $20 to $100 for OEM or original equipment manufacturer parts.Hot-surface ignitor prices. Ignitor type Hot-surface ignitor price Spark ignitor price Universal $15 – $35 $15 – $50 OEM / Brand $20 – $100 $20 – $60.
How much voltage does a hot surface ignitor need?
When replacing a hot surface igniter, it is important to know the supply volts needed for the new igniter. Most hot surface ignitors work off of 120 volts. However, there are a few out there that work off of 240 volts. The Honeywell SmartValve Hot Surface Pilot Ignition uses 24 volts.
What is a hot surface ignitor made of?
Hot surface igniters are a more recent development. These electrical apparatuses are constructed from a substance such as silicon carbide. When the furnace is turned on, electricity flows into the igniter, causing it to glow red hot.
What is the first step that you are going to do in finding ignition system trouble?
When looking for troubles, it’s usually best to start at the spark plug-end of the ignition path and work backward. The first thing to do is to pull a spark plug wire while an assistant cranks the engine and check for spark.
Why is my furnace not starting?
Ensure your furnace filters are clean: Your furnace won’t start up if it does not get enough airflow. Check your pilot light: If you have a gas furnace and gas supply is stopped your pilot light will go out. Check your blower motor: If the blower motor is not working then your furnace won’t pump out warm air.
