Furnace Won't Light? Signs of a Faulty Furnace Ignitor
In the winter, home dwellers' worst nightmare might be a furnace that won't light. Although sometimes the cause could be severe, in most cases, it is a faulty ignitor. Since this part isn't that expensive, you don't have to worry about spending tons of money on the repair.
To help you troubleshoot if the ignitor is the reason the furnace won't light, here are the common signs of a defective ignitor:
Chilly or cold air
If the furnace blows chilly or cold air instead of warm, this could be due to a faulty ignitor. Namely, a malfunctioning ignitor can't light and heat the air, so the furnace doesn't blow hot air.
Before blaming it on the ignitor, make sure the furnace is set to heating and not cooling. Occasionally, the cause could be something as silly as the wrong setting.
The furnace doesn't blow
When the furnace and ignitor are both working, it will blow warm air. If something is wrong with the parts, the furnace will stop blowing to prevent further damage. If that's the case, it might be a good idea to inspect the ignitor. It's recommended to call an HVAC company to handle this. However, there's something that you can do in the meantime:
Inspect the air filter: When the air filter is clogged or dirty, the furnace may stop heating for not having enough fresh air. Turn off the power on the furnace and hose the filter.
Remove debris: Pilled up debris could be another reason the furnace isn't producing any air. Make sure to clean the furnace regularly.
The furnace keeps stopping and starting.
A furnace that stops and goes may have a malfunctioning ignitor. Most furnaces stop if some of the parts are not working.
However, this is not something that you should neglect. If not inspected by a qualified technician, the stopping and starting could have an adverse effect.
Causes of a defective ignitor
There are various reasons why the ignitor might act up. Here are the most common:
Age: Ignitors have a lifespan of up to seven years. After that, they might break down or malfunction.
Mismatched ignitor: The voltage of the furnace and the ignitor must match. If not, the ignitor may not work correctly. If you've tried to replace the ignitor, you might have gotten the wrong model for your furnace. Contact the manufacturer or a local HVAC company that can help determine if you have the right ignitor.
Power surges: Frequent power spikes can damage the ignitor.
Get help
Replacing a faulty furnace ignitor doesn't require any advanced skill set for a handy person. If in doubt, always call an HVAC company and get them to take a look at the furnace.
Modern Air Conditioning & Heating is a Boulder City-based HVAC company offering 15 years of experience in residential and commercial HVAC services for all makes and models. You can also call us directly at (702) 919-4365.
