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Ignition Issues With Your Furnace
Posted On: October 11, 2024
If your furnace isn’t turning on or staying lit, it may be experiencing ignition problems. Ignition issues can be frustrating, especially during colder months when you rely on your heating system to function properly. Understanding the possible causes can help you identify and solve the problem before calling in a professional. Here's a guide to common furnace ignition issues and potential solutions.
Common Causes of Furnace Ignition Problems
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Pilot Light Issues: Older furnaces typically use a pilot light for ignition. If the pilot light is out, the furnace won’t ignite. This can be due to a draft, a dirty pilot light, or a malfunctioning thermocouple.
Solution: If the pilot light is out, try relighting it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If it won’t stay lit, check for drafts or clean the pilot light assembly. You may also need to replace the thermocouple, which detects whether the pilot light is on.
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Faulty Ignition Sensor: For newer furnaces with electronic ignition, the ignition sensor can sometimes malfunction. Over time, dirt and grime can accumulate on the sensor, causing it to fail in detecting the flame.
Solution: Cleaning the ignition sensor often resolves this issue. Turn off the furnace, remove the sensor, clean it with fine sandpaper or a brush, and reinstall it.
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Ignitor Failure: Furnaces equipped with hot surface ignitors rely on a small electrical component to create heat for ignition. If the ignitor fails, the furnace won’t start.
Solution: Ignitors can wear out over time, and a replacement is usually necessary. This part is fragile, so it's best to have a professional technician handle the replacement.
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Gas Supply Issues: If your furnace isn't getting enough gas, it won’t ignite. This could be due to a closed gas valve, low gas pressure, or an issue with the gas line.
Solution: Ensure that the gas valve is open and check your home's gas supply. If the issue persists, contact your gas company or a technician to inspect the gas lines.
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Dirty Burners: Over time, the burners in your furnace can become clogged with dust and debris. Dirty burners can prevent proper ignition and cause the furnace to operate inefficiently.
Solution: Cleaning the burners can restore normal operation. This task is often best left to a professional, as improper cleaning can damage the components.
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Blocked Air Intake or Exhaust: Modern furnaces have a safety feature that prevents ignition if the air intake or exhaust vent is blocked. This is a safety precaution to avoid dangerous gases from building up.
Solution: Check that the vents are clear of obstructions like leaves, snow, or debris. Clearing these blockages should allow the furnace to ignite properly.
When to Call a Professional
While some furnace ignition issues can be resolved with basic troubleshooting, others require the expertise of an HVAC professional. If you're unsure or uncomfortable handling any components, it's best to contact a certified technician to ensure safety and proper repairs. Regular maintenance can also help prevent ignition problems, keeping your furnace running smoothly throughout the winter.
By addressing furnace ignition issues early, you can avoid more significant problems and ensure your home stays warm and comfortable.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Apr 30, 2018
Greg and team were amazing! All interaction via email and text 100% professional. From consult to product recommendation their service was phenomenal!
Installed a Napoleon furnace (ecm dc drive variable 2-stage) and it was a game changer for the whole house. Blended air temperature through and through the entire house and its saving us money by cutting down our utility bill by ALOT!
Jun 18, 2018
We purchased a new cooling & heating system from Twintech and the team was fantastic. From sales to installation, the team were great to work with. Friendly (our dog even enjoyed having them over), professional and accommodating. Id recommend Twintech in a heart beat to anyone. Superb customer service.
Jun 4, 2018
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
Jun 11, 2018
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
Nov 18, 2018
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Aug 12, 2018
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Jul 21, 2018
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Jul 12, 2018
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
Jun 25, 2018
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
Jun 10, 2018
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
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