Jack Frost is getting ready to unleash his icy grip on Indiana and Ohio once again. Before winter’s big chill sets in, it’s crucial to ensure your home’s furnace is up for the challenge of keeping you warm and toasty. However, a faulty furnace ignitor could leave you shivering in the cold if not addressed.
This often-overlooked component plays a vital role in firing up your furnace. The ignitor provides the spark that ignites the gas burners, generating the heat that warms your home. When an ignitor starts failing, it can prevent your furnace from operating properly or even keep it from kicking on at all.
Avoiding this heating nightmare requires knowing the telltale signs that an ignitor is on its way out. From higher utility costs to strange sounds and smells, there are several red flags homeowners need to watch for. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what exactly a furnace ignitor does and why a faulty one spells trouble. We’ll also cover the most common warning signs of ignitor failure so you can catch issues early before being left in the cold.
Additionally, we’ll explore some of the typical culprits that cause ignitors to malfunction prematurely. Proper furnace maintenance is key for extending this component’s lifespan. Stick around as we guide you through this important but often misunderstood part of your heating system!
What is a Furnace Ignitor?
At the heart of your furnace’s heating process beats a humble but crucial component – the ignitor. This little gadget plays a big role in getting your furnace fired up and keeping your home feeling like a toasty oasis all winter long.
So what exactly is the ignitor and what does it do? In simple terms, it’s the part responsible for lighting that initial spark to ignite the gas burners. Once those burners are burning, they generate the heat that warms the air circulating through your furnace and ductwork.
Most modern furnaces use electronic hot surface ignitors rather than the old-fashioned standing pilot lights. These ignitors consist of a metal rod or ceramic surface that heats up to extremely high temperatures when electrically charged. Once red-hot, the ignitor can successfully ignite the gas flowing to the burners and get that combustion process going.
But the ignitor’s job doesn’t stop there! It has to remain activated during the entire heating cycle to ensure the burners stay lit. If the ignitor fails or shuts off prematurely, the gas flow will automatically stop as a safety precaution to prevent an unsafe buildup of unburned gas.
While not necessarily the most complex part, the furnace ignitor is absolutely essential for proper heating operation. When it starts malfunctioning, you’ll quickly notice problems with your furnace’s ability to turn on, stay running, and maintain consistent temperatures. That’s why it’s so important to watch for signs of ignitor trouble and replace this component at the first hint of failure.
Why a Bad Furnace Ignitor is a Problem
We’ve covered what an ignitor does, but why should you care if yours is on the fritz? Well, a faulty ignitor is more than just a minor inconvenience – it’s a serious issue that can completely cripple your furnace’s performance and leave you stuck in the cold. Here’s a quick rundown of the big problems caused by a bad ignitor:
Failure to Ignite the Burners
When an ignitor fails, your furnace’s burners simply won’t be able to light and start the heating process. You’ll just get a furnace full of unlit gas building up – definitely not a situation you want! At best, you’ll get an error code before the furnace shuts off as a safety precaution. At worst, you could be dealing with a gas leak hazard.
Inconsistent Heat Output
Even if the ignitor still manages to fire up the burners, a faulty or weakened ignitor can cause inconsistent heating. As it struggles to keep the burners lit, you’ll likely notice frequent hot and cold temperature swings throughout your home. One minute you’re sweating, the next you’re shivering!
Increased Energy Costs
An ignitor that has to work harder to get those burners going will also force your entire furnace to work harder and consume more energy. Those higher gas and electricity bills are a telltale sign that your ignitor’s efficiency is waning and it’s time for a replacement.
Potential Safety Hazards
When an ignitor fails completely, it prevents your furnace from operating safely and effectively. Built-in safety switches will cause the furnace to shut off to avoid unburned gas building up. However, a faulty ignitor that keeps misfiring creates the risk of gas leaks, fire hazards, and potential carbon monoxide exposure if not addressed quickly.
Shortened Furnace Lifespan
On top of the heating headaches and safety concerns, a bad ignitor also puts extra strain on your entire furnace system. As other components are forced to work harder to compensate, it can lead to premature breakdowns and the need to replace your furnace years earlier than expected.
The bottom line? An ignitor going bad is no minor issue to ignore. Addressing the problem promptly by replacing this affordable part is well worth it to keep your furnace running safely and efficiently all winter long. Putting off the repair will only lead to bigger heating headaches and risks down the road.
Common Warning Signs of a Bad Furnace Ignitor
Now that you know just how problematic an ignitor failure can be, it’s important to keep an eye out for any red flags that yours may be on its way out. Catching the issue early gives you a chance to replace the ignitor before bigger heating headaches arise. Here are some of the most common warning signs that your furnace’s ignitor is going bad:
Furnace Struggles to Start
One of the first signs many homeowners notice is their furnace having trouble firing up when calling for heat. You may hear the ignitor clicking as it tries to light the burners, but it fails to fully ignite after several attempts. This is a clear indicator that the ignitor is wearing out and struggling to do its job properly.
Delayed Ignition
In some cases, the ignitor may still manage to ultimately light the burners but with a noticeable delay after kicking on. This sluggish performance means the ignitor is having to work extra hard and may be on its last leg.
Short Cycling Issues
A weakened ignitor can also cause your furnace to cycle on and off rapidly without properly completing full heating cycles. You may notice it only blowing warm air for short bursts before shutting back down, leaving your home with hot and cold spots.
Rumbling Noises
If you hear odd rumbling, banging, or booming sounds coming from your furnace, it could be caused by delayed ignition allowing gas to build up before finally lighting. Those small explosions are a sign the ignitor isn’t firing properly.
Physical Deterioration
In some cases, you may be able to visibly notice signs of deterioration on the ignitor itself through the furnace’s view port or panels. Excessive soot buildup, cracks, erosion, or a blistered appearance are all potential red flags.
Strange Odors
Failed ignitors can sometimes cause weird odors to get circulated through your ductwork. If you detect a lingering, metallic, gas-like, or burning smell but no actual gas leak, it could point to ignitor issues.
Higher Energy Bills
Have your gas or electricity costs been creeping up lately for no apparent reason? An ignitor going bad can force your furnace to work harder and run longer cycles to maintain temperatures, leading to higher utility usage.
Error Codes
Many modern furnaces will display error codes on their control panels when components like the ignitor malfunction. Regularly checking for codes can alert you to problems before a total breakdown.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s a good idea to have an HVAC professional inspect your furnace’s ignitor right away. Addressing a faulty ignitor sooner rather than later can prevent bigger heating nightmares and safety risks down the road.
What Causes a Furnace Ignitor to Fail?
An ignitor is a relatively simple component, but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to eventually wearing out or malfunctioning. From mechanical issues to electrical problems, there are several common culprits that can send this crucial heating part to an early grave. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the typical reasons furnace ignitors kick the bucket prematurely:
Repeated Mechanical Stress
Think about the workload your ignitor handles. It has to rapidly heat up to blazing hot temperatures over and over again with every heating cycle – talk about a tough job! All that expansion and contraction from the extreme temperature swings can take a toll, leading to cracks, warping, and erosion over time.
Exposure to Environmental Factors
Where your furnace’s ignitor is located also impacts its lifespan. Excessive moisture, dust, or combustible residues can wreak havoc. Humid conditions promote rusting and corrosion, while soot buildup acts as an insulator that prevents proper heating. A bad installation location only accelerates deterioration.
Manufacturer Defects
In some cases, an ignitor just turns out to be a lemon right out of the box. Whether from subpar materials or workmanship flaws, some ignitors are simply prone to premature failure from the start. Sticking with name brands from reputable manufacturers is always advisable.
Electrical Control Issues
Since furnace ignitors rely on precisely timed and measured electrical charges to work properly, any disruptions in electrical flow can spell trouble. Issues like circuit board malfunctions, loose wiring connections, or power surges can damage ignitors or cause erratic behavior.
Age and Overuse
Like any component, a furnace ignitor will eventually reach the end of its usable lifespan through normal wear and tear. Most are built to last between 3 and 10 years with routine residential use. Once an ignitor starts getting up there in age, it’s more prone to conking out, even with proper maintenance.
Improper Maintenance
Speaking of maintenance, neglecting your furnace’s care can seriously shorten an ignitor’s life expectancy. If airflow is restricted, mechanical components go unchecked, and combustion areas aren’t regularly cleaned, it creates a lot of added stress that wears parts out faster.
While relatively simple, ignitors require the perfect mix of mechanical, electrical, and environmental conditions to keep operating reliably year after year. Once any of those factors start going haywire, your ignitor’s days become numbered. The key is catching the signs of failure early before bigger furnace problems have a chance to take root.
What to Do if You Suspect a Bad Furnace Ignitor
If you’ve noticed any of those telltale signs we covered pointing to ignitor issues, it’s important to act quickly. An ignitor is one of those affordable furnace parts where a small repair can prevent much bigger heating headaches and costs down the road. Here’s a quick game plan for handling a suspected bad ignitor:
Step 1: Don’t Delay!
At the first hint of ignitor trouble, like repeated failure to ignite the burners, don’t try to tough it out. Shut your furnace down and kill the gas supply immediately to avoid potential safety hazards from gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure. Your comfort can wait – protecting your home is priority one.
Step 2: Call in the Pros
While a handy homeowner might be tempted to inspect the ignitor themselves, this is one repair best left to the experts. Furnace ignitors require precise electrical work and a thorough safety check of the entire system. Hire a certified HVAC technician to properly diagnose and resolve the issue.
Step 3: Get an Inspection
An ignitor going bad can sometimes be a symptom of larger furnace issues. A reputable HVAC pro will conduct a full inspection of all components to identify the root cause. They may recommend preventative maintenance or additional furnace repairs beyond just the ignitor replacement to get your system operating safely again.
Step 4: Replace That Ignitor!
In most cases, a simple ignitor swap will do the trick. Once your technician has the go-ahead that it’s an isolated ignitor failure, they can get that new part installed lickety-split. Within a couple hours, you could have hot air blasting again!
Step 5: Consider Upgrades
If your furnace is on the older side, upgrading to a modern silicon nitride ignitor may be worthwhile. These ignitors can last years longer than basic models. Or if replacement parts are getting tougher to source, it may make sense to start budgeting for a new furnace installation in the near future.
Step 6: Schedule Maintenance
Whether you upgraded components or not, be sure to get your furnace on a routine professional maintenance schedule going forward. An affordable tune-up can extend the lifespan of your ignitor and other furnace parts by catching little issues early.
The key is acting decisively as soon as you detect ignitor problems. Don’t kick that heating can further down the road and risk a midwinter furnace failure. Call up a trustworthy HVAC pro to quickly diagnose and resolve the issue before your home’s comfort is compromised.
Don’t Let a Bad Furnace Ignitor Leave You Out in the Cold This Winter
At the first signs of ignitor trouble, there’s no need to immediately start panic shopping for a new furnace. With some professional help, that small but crucial component can likely be replaced to restore reliable heating before the deep freeze sets in. From strange noises and smells to cycling issues and higher utility bills, keep a watchful eye out for any red flags that your ignitor is on its way out.
If you do suspect an ignitor problem is brewing, don’t hesitate to sound the hound with Bassett’s top-notch HVAC experts. We’ll sniff out the root cause and get your furnace back in tiptop shape quickly and affordably. Whether it’s a simple ignitor swap or larger repairs are needed, our better breed of service will have your home toasty again in no time.
Indiana and Ohio homeowners can reach us at (317) 360-0054 to schedule a furnace ignitor diagnosis and repair. With Bassett on the case, you can ditch the heating worries for good this winter – no cold weather tricks, just warm and cozy treats!