When heating your home, your furnace keeps you and your family warm and comfortable throughout the winter. However, even the best furnace can experience issues from time to time, especially if it’s not well-maintained. A faulty ignitor is one of the most common problems homeowners face with their furnaces.
What Is a Furnace Ignitor?
Before we dive into the signs of a lousy furnace ignitor, let’s first define what a furnace ignitor is. An ignitor is a furnace component that lights the gas that heats your home. When you turn up your thermostat, the ignitor will receive a signal from the furnace control board to ignite the gas in the burner.
Signs of a Bad Furnace Ignitor
1. Your Furnace Won’t Turn On
One of the most apparent signs of a lousy ignitor is that your furnace won’t turn on. If you’re not hearing the familiar hum of your furnace kicking on when you turn up your thermostat, your ignitor may have failed.
2. Your Furnace is Making Strange Noises
If your furnace makes banging, clanking, or other unusual noises, it could be a sign that your ignitor is going bad. These noises may be caused by a lack of ignition, leading to gas buildup in your furnace’s burner.
3. Your Furnace is Producing a Strong Smell
Another sign of a bad furnace ignitor is your home’s strong gas smell. If your furnace fails to ignite properly, it could cause gas to build up in the burner, producing a strong odour.
4. Your Furnace is Failing to Heat Your Home
If your furnace is running but not producing enough heat to warm your home, it could be a sign that your ignitor is failing. Without a properly functioning ignitor, your furnace won’t be able to ignite the gas in the burner, which means it won’t produce enough heat to keep your home warm.
Fixing a Bad Furnace Ignitor
1. Turn Off the Power
Before you start working on your furnace, turn off the power to the unit. You can turn off the circuit breaker that controls your furnace.
2. Locate the Ignitor
Next, locate the ignitor inside your furnace. It’s typically located near the burner and resembles a small metal rod.
3. Remove the Old Ignitor
Once you’ve located the ignitor, remove it from the furnace with a screwdriver. Be sure to note how the old ignitor is installed so that you can install the new one correctly.
4. Install the New Ignitor
Install the new ignitor in the furnace using the same installation method as the old ignitor. Be sure to tighten any screws or bolts to secure it in place.
5. Turn the Power Back On
Finally, turn the power back on to your furnace by flipping the circuit breaker back on. Turn up your thermostat to test your furnace and ensure it works properly.
Conclusion
A bad furnace ignitor can cause problems for your home’s heating system. If you notice any of the signs listed above, it’s important to take action and replace your faulty ignitor as soon as possible. With a bit of work and a new ignitor, you’ll be able to get your furnace back up and running in no time.
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