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A Simple Guide to Furnace Ignition Failure
Posted On: November 4, 2024
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you troubleshoot furnace ignition failure, a common issue that can lead to a cold house in the winter. Furnace ignition failure can have multiple causes, and identifying them early can save time, energy, and repair costs.
1. Check the Thermostat
- Ensure it’s set to “Heat”: The thermostat should be set to “heat” and at a temperature higher than the current room temperature.
- Inspect the Batteries: Some thermostats use batteries, so replace them if necessary. This could resolve the issue without further troubleshooting.
2. Inspect the Air Filter
- Replace Dirty Filters: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, causing the furnace to overheat and shut down as a safety precaution. A fresh filter can allow your furnace to work efficiently and prevent ignition issues.
3. Look for Power Issues
- Circuit Breaker: Check the furnace’s circuit breaker in your electrical panel. If it’s tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, you may have a larger electrical issue that requires a professional.
- Furnace Switch: Make sure the power switch, which usually looks like a light switch near the furnace, is in the “on” position.
4. Verify Gas Supply
- Gas Valve: If you have a gas furnace, check that the gas valve near the furnace is open. The lever should be parallel to the gas line when it’s open.
- Gas Line and Supply: Sometimes, the gas company may have shut off the supply for maintenance. If you suspect an issue with gas flow, contact your gas provider.
5. Inspect the Igniter
- Hot Surface Igniter: Many modern furnaces use an electric igniter, which can fail over time. A visible crack or wear on the igniter usually indicates it needs replacement. This repair often requires professional assistance.
- Pilot Light: For furnaces with a pilot light, check that it’s lit. If not, relight it if you feel comfortable, or call a technician if you have trouble with it.
6. Examine the Flame Sensor
- Clean the Flame Sensor: Over time, the flame sensor can become dirty, which prevents it from sensing the flame. Use a fine-grit sandpaper or a cloth to gently clean the sensor. This can often restore normal furnace function.
7. Check for Error Codes
- Error Lights: Most modern furnaces have a diagnostic light that flashes in a particular pattern if there’s an issue. Refer to the furnace manual to interpret these error codes, which can help pinpoint the problem.
8. Assess the Blower Motor and Vents
- Vent Blockages: Ensure nothing blocks air vents and ducts. Restricted airflow can also cause safety switches to trigger.
- Blower Motor Reset: Some furnaces have a reset button on the blower motor. Press this if your furnace isn’t responding.
When to Call a Professional
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it’s best to contact a licensed HVAC technician. Attempting to fix more complex problems on your own can be unsafe and may lead to further damage.
Following these steps can often solve simple ignition issues and get your furnace running smoothly again!
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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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