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Ignition Issues With Your Furnace

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Ignition Issues With Your Furnace

Posted On: October 11, 2024

Ignition Issues With Your Furnace

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

  1. 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.


  2. 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.


  3. 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.


  4. 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.


  5. 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.


  6. 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:

by John from Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Our furnace bit the dust, and Twintech came out to troubleshoot and diagnose the problem within a couple of hours. Mitch was super helpful, patient, and answered all of our questions. When we decided to get the furnace replaced, the crew was over first thing the next morning and did a fantastic job. Not only did they complete the job in a few hours, but they cleaned up and respected our house as they went, and answered all of our follow-up questions. I've used Twintech for our HVAC needs in the past and will continue to do so. I'd recommend them to anyone, and it feels good to support a local, family-owned business.

by Ryan k on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Dave and the Twintech team were fabulous from day 1 and helped us through the process to identifying a new furnace and AC unit. This was our first time through this process and Dave did a thorough job explaining all the components and was very patience answering all our questions. Dave provided great insights and fair pricing.

The Twintech team did an awesome installation. Very clean and efficient. I would highly recommended their service.

by Louise in Scarborough on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We had a new Amana furnace installed by Twintech and we were very pleased with the installation. It is nice to have a warm house again.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Excellent job. Excellent service. Competitive price. Its rare to find a company with the knowledge and professional results we have experienced with Twintech. The clean and neat installation with attention to detail and drop sheers to respect our property is a clear indication of Twintechs high level of integrity. The 1-1/2 gas line upgrade they did for our pool 3 years ago was awesome. Can't say enough. Thank-you Twintech.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twitch did a great job with the installation of our new furnace. I really appreciated their honesty and I could trust what they were telling me. Another company tried to suggest significantly more work at a greater cost claiming it was necessary to meet current building code. Twintech is very fair. All staff I meet were friendly, polite and trustworthy. I would recommend Twitch for a furnace.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

This is a professional team that's easy to deal with. I would strongly recommend them

by hj.taggart in OSHAWA on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very professional firm from start to finish!
They removed the old oil tank and furnace. They installed air conditioning and a new propane furnace.
Professional installation, on time and no mess.
Very pleased with their work and would highly recommend the company. Our house is three stories so they spent the time to do all the calculations to make sure we would have great performance on each floor.
Thank you again!

by susieschoeppler in Oshawa on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Upon a routine yearly maintenance, it was discovered there was a leak in the heat exchanger and a I needed a new furnace. I know nothing about these things and was completely stressed out. The company I had the maintenance plan with quoted me a huge number to rent a furnace, I just wanted to cry. Then I spoke to Dave at Twintech. He was so knowledgeable and calming, provided me a fair quote and within a few days I had an amazing crew show up to my house and install my new energy efficient furnace! I have already recommended these wonderful people at Twintech to a good friend of mine. Thank you Twintech!!

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great service and great people to deal with, from sales to installer. I highly recommend this company.

by GR from Oshawa on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech replaced our aging furnace and air conditioner recently. I highly recommend this company. Their quote was competitive, they were on time and respectful of our home and extremely professional. From the salesman to the installers and the owner who followed up afterward to ensure we were satisfied, we are very pleased with the service. We are looking forward to working with this company for all of our HVAC needs for the years to come. Excellent workmanship and service!

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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

by Anna Chin on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!

by Connor Agnew on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.

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