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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:
Jun 5, 2018
All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.
May 17, 2018
Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.
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.
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