How do you clean a spark ignitor on a furnace? Insert the straw taped to the side of the can of compressed air into the nozzle of the can. Hold the can upright 12 inches from the ceramic ignitor. Tap the release button on the can to send a few short bursts of air onto the ignitor to clean away any dust.
How do you clean a furnace ignitor?
Routine maintenance of your furnace should keep the ignitor in good working condition, but if you need to clean it in between inspections, begin by turning off all power to the unit. Disconnect the furnace ignitor from the unit by detaching connected wires and loosening the screw that holds the component in place.
Can you use compressed air to clean a spark ignitor?
Cans of compressed air come with long applicators that look like straws, and if you point the applicator directly at the probe, the blast of air might do the trick. If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it's working haphazardly, it too could be covered with soot, and a blast of compressed air may be enough to clean it.
How do you know when to replace the ignitor on a furnace?
When you're satisfied that you've removed as much carbon as possible, replace the ignitor, hook up the connectors and turn on the power. Test the ignitor by turning up the thermostat to force the furnace to start. If problems persist, it may be time for a new ignitor.
How do I clean the probe on a hot surface ignitor?
It is possible to physically clean the probe on a hot surface ignitor. To do this, switch off power to the furnace either by turning off the wall switch or turning off the breaker in the main panel that controls the furnace.
Can a furnace ignitor be cleaned?
If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it's working haphazardly, it too could be covered with soot, and a blast of compressed air may be enough to clean it. Compressed air can also clean a blocked pilot tube that is causing the pilot flame to burn weakly or not at all.
Can you clean an igniter?
Use the toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water or a 50/50 vinegar solution to clean the surface of the igniter. Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia or any other chemical that could produce noxious fumes. If you have to chip material off it, use a plastic toothpick or kitchen knife.
How do you clean a flame igniter?
Once you have removed the sensor, rub the metal rod with fine grit sandpaper to remove grease and dirt. Then, use a clean paper towel to wipe away any remaining dust or dirt. Once you've cleaned it, replace the sensor and the screw, and your furnace should start working again.
How do you know if furnace ignitor is bad?
Your furnace won't run: The most obvious sign that your ignitor is bad is that it won't ignite, and this generally manifests itself in your furnace failing to run when you activate it. One word of caution, though: this can also be caused by other issues, some of which are electrical.
What causes furnace ignitor failure?
An 80-volt HSI should have about 80 volts applied to it. Applying 120 volts to that HSI will cause it break, and sometimes almost immediately. Having too low of voltage may not let the igniter burn hot enough.
What causes a furnace not to ignite?
If your furnace won't ignite, the source of the issue may be a broken flame sensor. The sensor is responsible for turning off the gas burners to avoid gas buildup. Once this component starts to malfunction, it may stop the burners from igniting altogether.
Can you use sandpaper to clean flame sensor?
To clean the sensor, simply rub the metal rod gently with light grit sandpaper, steel wool, or emery cloth to eliminate the carbon buildup. Note: Never use sandpaper as it will damage your flame sensor's rod. After that, use a clean and dry paper towel to get the excess particles and dust from the metal rod.
How much does it cost to replace an igniter on a furnace?
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.
How do I reset my furnace ignitor?
Once the power is off you can remove the burner door to reveal the ignitor. Turn this to “off” and leave it off for at least 5 minutes. After this time, turn the ignitor back to the “on” position and replace the burner door. You can then turn the power source back on and restart the furnace.
How to remove carbon deposits from furnace ignitor?
The same is true for a hot surface ignitor, so if you find the furnace is slow to ignite at start-up, it may be covered with carbon deposits, and you may be able to remove some by blasting the ignitor probe with compressed air. Cans of compressed air come with long applicators that look like straws, and if you point the applicator directly at the probe, the blast of air might do the trick.
How to tell if furnace ignitor is on?
How to Identify a Furnace Ignitor. When you open the access panel of most furnaces, you can see the burners right in front of you. One end of each of the four burners is exposed, and the other end extends past a metal wall and into the com bustion chamber. The ignitor is usually mounted on this wall close to the first burner, ...
What happens if a furnace is slow to ignite?
The same is true for a hot surface ignitor, so if you find the furnace is slow to ignite at start-up, it may be covered with carbon deposits, and you may be able to remove some by blasting the ignitor probe with compressed air.
What is a pilot in a gas furnace?
Every gas furnace needs a system to ignite the gas, and for much of the 20th century, the only system available was a standing pilot, which is a flame that burns continuously and ignites the gas like a match . Late in the century, manufacturers introduced spark ignitors that were first used to ignite the pilot flame but eventually ignited the burner directly, thus eliminating the pilot. The most recent development is the hot surface ignitor, which is a resistive heating element that needs a little time to warm up and glow red hot before it can do its job.
What is a hot surface ignitor?
A hot surface ignitor has a white porcelain base that might be yellowed with age and a long metal bar that extends into the path of the first burner. A spark igniter looks similar, but instead of a single metal bar, it has a pair of bars that form the electrodes that create the spark. Both types of ignitors have a pair of wires attached.
What is a standing pilot in a furnace?
Every gas furnace needs a system to ignite the gas, and for much of the 20th century, the only system available was a standing pilot, which is a flame that burns continuously and ignites the gas like a match. Late in the century, manufacturers introduced spark ignitors that were first used to ignite the pilot flame but eventually ignited ...
What is a high efficiency furnace?
A high-efficiency furnace with an annual fuel utilization efficiency of 90 or more usually has a hot surface ignitor, and many standard efficiency furnaces have them too. However, if you hear clicking when the furnace is starting, the furnace has a spark ignitor. When an ignitor malfunctions, you can clean it, but they have short life spans, ...
How to tell if the furnace ignitor is bad?
Before diagnosing the gas furnace ignitor as the source, check your thermostat to ensure you have the setting switched to heat. If so, then the ignitor isn’t creating the combustion needed to warm the air.
Where to buy a furnace ignitor?
If you or a qualified technician determine the furnace ignitor is the culprit, then you can pick one up from a local hardware store. Your furnace manual includes information on the correct model to buy. You can also check with your retailer, who can look up that information.
Why does my furnace ignitor stop working?
Another reason your ignitor quits working is it receives too much power. If you notice your breaker box trips every time your furnace turns on, it means your ignitor cannot handle the power load. Find a local electrician to inspect and repair the problem.
Why does my furnace not start?
If you hear the furnace click on but it never fully fires up to begin the heating cycle, a faulty furnace ignitor is likely to blame. In this situation, the furnace detects there’s a problem (often with the ignitor’s inability to create a combustion) and shuts down to keep you safe. Call your local furnace technician to perform a furnace ignitor replacement.
What temperature does a furnace ignitor go to?
The ignitor sits beside the gas burners, and when the thermostat communicates that it’s time to distribute warm air, the hot surface ignitor can reach 2500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?
When this happens, the furnace detects something is wrong, and as a safety measure, shuts it off.
Why does my furnace make a clicking noise?
When you turn up the thermostat to initiate your furnace, you might notice a clicking sound before the warm air arrives. That noise comes from the furnace ignitor.
How to tell if furnace ignitor is working?
Most furnaces today have a hot surface ignitor. You’ll be able to tell if a hot surface ignitor is working because it will glow bright orange.
What is a hot surface ignitor?
Hot surface ignitors are in most newer furnaces on the market today. They are made of a ceramic piece that heats up to over 2000°F to light the gas burners.
How many prongs should an ignitor connector have?
The ignitor connector should have two prongs inside of it. Touch each multimeter lead to one of the prongs.
How many volts should an inducer fan be?
After the inducer fan starts, you should read around 120 volts AC at the wires connected to your multimeter.
How many volts does a furnace need to turn on?
In the USA, your furnace’s ignitor will be powered by 120 volts AC when it needs to turn on.
What if my furnace is not running?
If you see that your furnace is not running at all, then there is a good chance that it is the ignitor.
Why does my furnace shut down?
The furnace shuts down completely in order to prevent unburned gas from leaking everywhere.
How long does a furnace ignitor last?
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 to know if furnace is out?
The Warning Signs of a Faulty Furnace Ignitor. When winter temperatures are here, you don't want to deal with issues heating your home. Waking up to a cold house or spending the day in a frigid office with a broken furnace can ruin your day. It can seem like your furnace goes out when you need it most.
What does it mean when your furnace starts clicking?
You've probably heard the "click" from your furnace before the air starts blowing. When the thermostat kicks on to start the furnace, the ignitor creates a spark that "ignites" the gas connected to your heater. Other types of ignitors heat without a spark.
What is the pilot light on a furnace?
Older furnaces used a pilot light to heat the air blowing into your home. Every year before the temperatures dropped, you probably noticed your parents bravely light the pilot light in the furnace. Today, the furnace igniter replaces the open flame of the pilot light in most furnaces.
Why does my furnace go out?
It can seem like your furnace goes out when you need it most. Even with preventive maintenance, your furnace can misbehave on the coldest days of the year. Sometimes it's a quick fix. In other cases, you could have a faulty furnace ignitor.
What happens if the furnace breaker is on?
If the furnace breaker is "on," there could be an issue with the ignitor, or you could have a more significant electrical issue.
Why does my furnace stop blowing?
Check the air filter. If it's dirty, air can't flow properly through the furnace. This could cause your furnace to stop blowing.
