How do you know if furnace ignitor is bad?

January 14, 2021 Joe Dassin

How do you know if furnace ignitor is bad?

If you have a faulty furnace ignitor, it won’t produce that small spark to heat the air coming from your furnace. Without it, your heater blows air at the same temperature as the cold outside air. Cold air blowing through your vents is a good sign that you have a heating problem within the furnace.

Why does my furnace igniter keep going out?

Debris from the heat exchanger or bugs/spiders can get on the ignitor while the furnace is not calling for heat and when there is a call for heat the debris/bug can short the ignitor out. It is a good idea to keep your furnace and heat exchanger clean so this does not happen.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace ignitor?

Average Cost of Furnace Ignitor Replacement Homeowners typically pay between $120 to $225 to have the ignitor replaced on their furnace. If the unit is still under warranty, you’ll only pay for labor which runs around 2 hours total and cost around $2020

How much does it cost to fix heater in house?

The average cost homeowners face for furnace repair is about $250. In most cases, homeowners spend between $130 and $400 to repair their furnace. Ultimately, furnace repair cost can range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the issue with the furnace.

Why did my electric heater stop working?

CAUSE: The most common cause for electric heater not working is blown fuses. If it is fuses or tripped, then what you can do is that you can replace the fuse or reset the circuit breakers if required. Now plug the appliance back in and switch it on. See if the problem has been resolved.

Should I repair or replace my furnace?

Furnace Age The age of your system is the first factor to consider. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years; after that the system will start to fail more often. If your furnace is 10 years old or less, repairs should be effective. If it has reached 12 years or more, it’s time to consider replacement.

How much does it cost to replace a flame sensor?

Depending on which furnace repair company you call, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to as much as $500 for a new flame sensor, plus the cost of the travel and diagnostic charge.

How do you test a flame sensor?

You can measure flame signal by putting your meter (capable of measuring micro amps) in line between the flame sensor and the wire that was connected to it (see picture). If you are reading anything under 5 uA (micro amps), it is likely that your flame sensor is dirty.

Can you clean a flame sensor?

Clean the Sensor Once you have removed the sensor, gently rub the metal rod (and nothing else) with a very light grit sandpaper. Remember, you’re not sanding down an auto body here, just ridding the sensor of any buildup. Then, use a clean paper towel to wipe clean any dust left behind by the sanding.

How much does it cost to clean a flame sensor?

Generally, the cost for cleaning the flame sensor is just the service call fee, so at Cates Heating and Cooling, you are looking to pay $98. For most customers, it is easier to get started on a service plan where a Cates technician will come out to inspect and perform maintenance on your furnace annually.

What causes a flame sensor to go bad?

As with any piece of equipment a simple reason could be that dirty flame sensor just goes bad. However a more common reason is that it is just dirty. It is a sensitive sensor so any type of dust or carbon buildup could cause it to malfunction.

How often should a flame sensor be cleaned?

Generally speaking, the flame sensor should be replaced every two to three years as preventative maintenance.

Is a flame sensor the same as a thermocouple?

People tend to use the terms “flame sensor” and “thermocouple” interchangeably. In truth, while they basically perform the same job, they’re not the same thing. If your furnace uses an electronic controller, it’s got a flame sensor. Thermocouples are used on standing pilot furnaces that have pilot lights.

What can I use to clean a flame sensor?

How do you replace a flame sensor?

Does Home Depot sell flame sensors?

White Rodgers Flame Sensor for Hot Surface Ignition-760-401 – The Home Depot.

HVAC

How do you know if furnace ignitor is bad?

January 28, 2019 Joe Dassin

How do you know if furnace ignitor is bad?

When did furnaces stop using pilot lights?

Newer gas furnaces (since about 2010) do not have a traditional pilot light that burns all the time. Instead they use electronic ignition systems that light only as needed. Constant flame or “standing pilot” heating systems are still fairly common in older homes, and they can still be repaired in most cases.

Is it safe to leave pilot light on?

If you leave the pilot light on for long periods without turning on the main burner, a white film can develop on the glass. This is a sulfur byproduct of the burning pilot, and if left uncleaned, it can etch the glass. For natural gas, I’d leave it on. If it’s propane, I’d turn it off and take the risk.

Does gas still flow when pilot light goes out?

If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard, and requiring immediate repair.

How long should a thermocouple last?

In effect, new thermocouples were installed into contaminated tubes, causing the degradation of the sensors and generating greater than a 100°F shift in accuracy. In this scenario, thermocouple life, which should have been close to one year, was shortened to within a week.

How much is a thermocouple?

1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.