Furnace Not Lighting? Here Are the Signs of an Ignitor Problem

When temperatures dip below freezing in Indianapolis and across the Central Indiana area, homeowners rely on their furnace or heating system to keep them warm and comfortable. But like all appliances, furnaces tend to break down over time – typically during the worst possible time such as the middle of the night when it’s frigid outside.

Furnaces are incredibly important to homes during the winter months. You need your furnace to work just as well at the end of the season as it does the first time you use it in a season. However, for one reason or another, your furnace might stop working properly during the dead of winter.

One common furnace problem that can leave you in the cold this winter is a faulty furnace ignitor. The job of the furnace ignitor is to light the burner that starts the combustion process that turns fuel into heat. Most newer furnaces don’t have a traditional pilot light, but, instead, are equipped with an electronic ignition system for safety reasons.

If your furnace isn’t igniting, despite your best efforts to light the furnace, call the professionals at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing for service. Our HVAC technician team is expertly trained to repair all makes and models of furnaces and provide 24-7 emergency repair and replacement services. Call us today to set up an appointment for any heating or cooling service need that comes your way.

In our most recent blog, we’re going to discuss some common signs of a faulty furnace ignitor and what to look out for.

The Furnace Won’t Turn On

When your furnace won’t turn on at all, several common problems could be at play, and a faulty ignitor is certainly one of them. When the ignitor is damaged or needs to be replaced, the furnace won’t turn on as a safety measure. Make sure to call an HVAC service technician to inspect your furnace and replace the faulty ignitor, if necessary.

Short Cycling

Short cycling is a term used to describe a furnace that turns on and off repeatedly without staying on long enough to adequately heat your entire home. Although short cycling can be caused by a number of factors, a faulty ignitor can be the culprit. The electric ignitor can cause short cycling if it can’t hold a charge long enough.

No Cold Air

If your furnace still runs but isn’t producing any warm air for your home, there’s like an issue with the furnace’s ignition. Without a functioning ignitor, it’s impossible to create heat, as the ignitor’s job is to create the spark to start the combustion process. When this occurs, the system won’t run at all, or you’ll have cold air blowing through the vents in your home.

Before giving an HVAC company a call, make sure to check if the thermostat is set to “heat” and the set room temperature is high enough to signal the furnace to turn on.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

A furnace that continuously trips the circuit breaker is bad for both the electrical system and your furnace. A tripped circuit breaker can be the result of a faulty ignitor and should be inspected immediately before it causes more damage. If your circuit breaker is consistently tripping, call a professional technician as soon as possible.

Ignitor Isn’t Glowing

When the furnace turns on to start a cycle, the electric ignitor should glow. If there isn’t a glow, there’s likely a problem with the ignitor, and you should call an HVAC company for help. A problem with the electronic ignition won’t be able to produce power to the furnace.

Trust Chapman for All of Your Home’s Furnace Repair Needs

Experiencing furnace problems during the middle of a cold Indianapolis winter is not only uncomfortable, but it can lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Make sure to request a service call from an experienced HVAC technician if your furnace dies on you in the middle of a cold season.

Whether or not you believe the ignitor is at fault for your electric or gas furnace not working properly, don’t hesitate to contact the trustworthy heating and cooling technicians at Chapman to see how we can help. Call or contact us online today to schedule an appointment for whatever your furnace may need.