How do I know if my furnace ignitor is bad?

4 Signs of a Faulty Furnace Ignitor

1. The Furnace Stops Running. When a furnace won’t run at all, check for a bad ignitor.
2. Your Furnace Blows Chilly Air. Unless you’ve set your thermostat to COOL, your furnace should not blow cold air.
3. Does Your Furnace Short Cycle?
4. A No Glow Ignitor.
5. We Can Replace Your Furnace Ignitor.

What causes a furnace to blow out cold air?

Your furnace may be blowing cold air because the filter is too dirty. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.

Why is my furnace running but no heat is coming out?

Furnace filters Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won’t warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.

How long does furnace ignitor last?

about seven years
Fortunately, you can replace the ignitor without replacing the full furnace. Most ignitors last about seven years. Keep reading to learn how you can tell if your furnace problem is a faulty ignitor.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace ignitor?

Here’s the bottom line: Whether for a natural gas furnace, oil, or a propane furnace, replacing a furnace ignitor–including parts and labor–will cost you around $300 – $425 for a qualified contractor to install. Compare that to, say, a draft inducer motor, which will cost $400 – $1,500 to replace.

What causes furnace ignitor failure?

As mentioned above, sometimes the cause of a furnace ignitor failing to ignite is due to a safety issue, such as a clogged air filter, for instance. So, if your furnace is failing to ignite, it’s a good idea to check the air filter. If it looks clogged up, then this is probably the source of the problem.

What makes an ignitor go bad?

Most of the time when ignitors go bad that often it is because the ignitor is not shutting off after the gas in the furnace is ignited. If the ignitor stays on for an extended period of time this will make the ignitor short-lived.

How long do furnace igniters last?

Why is my furnace blowing cold air when I turn it on?

Faulty thermocouple. If you do manage to relight the pilot but it keeps going out, a faulty thermocouple is likely causing your furnace to blow cold air. The thermocouple is a sensor that controls the gas valve and ignition. This is usually a simple fix, but you’ll need to call a technician to adjust or replace it.

What is a furnace igniter and what does it do?

Today, the furnace igniter replaces the open flame of the pilot light in most furnaces. Without the ignitor, your heater won’t blow hot air. It’s a critical part of your furnace system, and one of the most common reasons your furnace doesn’t work correctly. You’ve probably heard the “click” from your furnace before the air starts blowing.

Can you replace a furnace ignitor without replacing the whole furnace?

No matter which type of ignitor is in your furnace, this chain of events lights your heater so that it blows hot air. Don’t worry—an ignitor that goes bad is common for most furnaces. Fortunately, you can replace the ignitor without replacing the full furnace.

Why does my furnace turn off when I turn it on?

Check for debris where the air filter sits inside the furnace and in your air ducts. Anything blocking the flow of air through the filter or your vents can cause the furnace to shut off. If the air passageways seem free and clear and you have a clean air filter, your next best option is to check the ignitor for a problem.