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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:
May 9, 2018
I had cold and hot spots all over my 70 yr old home. My furnace is quite new and Greg optimized the fan and furnace. The original installer just took it out of the box with factory settings and installed it- basically running at 50% of capacity. Greg also routed heat into my laundry room, yeah - so now I can renovate laundry room - thanks Greg. He is honest, professional and knowledgeable. I will be calling him back in the spring to optimize my AC as well.
May 8, 2018
Wonderful from beginning to end. I tend to fret and worry about home improvements but the excellent team at TwinTech put my mind as ease. They listen, they are patient and best of all ... the work they did is amazing! I chose the Goodman 80K BTU 2 stage furnace and the matching Goodman air conditioner. Greg, Grant and Poitr "Peter" arrived on time, took great care, explained everything to me and they answered all of my questions. They carefully adjusted the factory settings to optimize the furnace for my house and they also checked the duct work in the basement. Dave, the Sales Manager, came by to say "hello" and to see if I was happy. YES, I am happy with the work! The furnace is very quiet. I have it running on low just to circulate the air in the house and it's so much quieter than my old furnace. When I need new duct work for an upcoming basement renovation TwinTech will be my first choice. I highly recommend TwinTech. PS. They were even nice to my dogs.
Apr 21, 2018
Greg was prompt on the scheduled day of installation and the work was done well within the time estimated beforehand. Installation was neat and the equipment and scope of work was as specified in the quote. One item I must point out is that we were faced with a "No Heat" situation the day before the scheduled installation and Greg came out to address it free of charge. Not only that, but he also corrected an installation fault with our smart thermostat that was not part of the original job, again free of charge.
Mar 16, 2018
Greg came by to do a routine furnace checkup. He was very knowledgeable and professional, letting me know what's being checked/adjusted and giving me tips to ensure everything runs smooth. Very honest and upfront about what's working fine vs. what may need to be fixed/replaced. He didn't attempt to up sell anything that wasn't necessary. I'm glad to have finally found someone I can trust and rely on for all my HVAC needs - furnace, A/C, and hot water tank.
Mar 4, 2018
I'm very happy with the work that was done. Everyone from salesperson to the installers were friendly and professional. They were on time and cleaned up the job site after it was installed. They also answered all my follow up questions promptly. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them or recommend them again.
Feb 28, 2018
Thanks to the team at Twin Tech for a great job installing my new heat pump/ac unit. The guys were very polite and professional. When they left you would never have known they had been there except for the new Mitsubishi unit on the wall!! would highly recommend the Twin Tech team.
Feb 28, 2018
Installed professionally, no delays, no rework needed. Very reliable contractor and sales person. Also installed BBQ gas line and some duct work.
Feb 19, 2018
Greg and Grant are friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable HVAC professionals. The twins, Dave and the entire team provided efficient top quality service. Our family plns to use Twintech for all of our future HVAC needs.
Feb 10, 2018
Very impressed with this company. They show up on time , kept my place clean and after they left it looks like they were never there. Very professional team. Those people know what they doing . Their installation was on the highest standard. They are very knowledgeable especially they're worker Peter. I strongly recommend this company to everybody. After the installation I receive the call making sure I'm satisfied with their products and their job. Bravo!!!
Feb 8, 2018
Greg and his brother were referred to us by a friend. They arrived when they said they would, did an exceptional job and left the place as tidy or tidier then they found it. Their professionalism is only surpassed by their kind and friendly demeanor. Even after several calls to help me with my high tech thermostat I feel that I could always call with any concern (No one responds to my texts as quickly as Greg) and have a friendly helpful response. I found out their grandfather started the company and now as a 3rd generation company, they are doing their grandfather proud. I would highly recommend Twintech over any other hvac company out there.
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