Remember, you cannot light the electronic ignition manually. Contact an HVAC specialist at Sanks to diagnose and repair your furnace as soon as possible.
Resetting The Ignitor
You can reset the ignition on your furnace simply. To do this you must cut the power to the furnace first by turning off the circuit that powers it. 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.
The Short Answer Is: It is generally safe for a homeowner to relight a furnace pilot light, as long as they follow proper precautions and guidelines. To do it yourself, first, turn off the furnace's gas supply and wait for a few minutes to allow any lingering gas to dissipate.
Turn the switch or knob to “Pilot” and hold down the reset button. With a long lighter, bring a flame close to the pilot light opening. This isn't very dangerous, but you should use caution. Once the pilot light has caught and is burning brightly, you can release the reset button.
Most modern electric furnaces do not have pilot lights, especially if they're from within the last decade.
This is the most common type of ignition in modern furnaces, and it works similarly to an incandescent light bulb. An electric current runs through a metal probe positioned over the burners, and the current causes the probe to turn hot the same way filaments in a light bulb glow hot when current runs through them.
Most likely, your furnace is making a clicking noise and not providing heat because your furnace's spark igniter is trying to ignite your pilot light or burners but is failing to do so. In other words, there's an ignition system malfunction that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, your furnace won't start.
If it doesn't have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites. Hold the button down for up to a minute to ensure that the light stays lit. Turn the gas regulator valve to the “on” position.
Defective Igniter or Pilot Light
If it clicks but your furnace won't ignite after the combustion cycle, the electronic ignition systems probably need to be replaced. In cases where the furnace ignition starts normally but only stays on for a few minutes and then goes out, a new pilot light likely needs to be installed.
The Short Answer Is: Warning signs of a bad furnace ignitor include the furnace not starting or heating, a noticeable clicking sound without ignition, or frequent short cycling where the furnace turns on and off rapidly. Additionally, if the ignitor appears cracked or discolored, it may need replacement.
First of all, be aware that not all furnaces have a reset button; however, most do. If your electric furnace has one, it's most likely located within the blower housing, next to the motor. If you own a gas furnace, it's probably located within the control panel. Check your owner's manual for specifics.
Turn the ON/OFF/PILOT knob to the 'OFF' position and wait for five minutes to clear out any residual gas. After waiting, press and hold the ON/OFF/PILOT knob. Then, press the igniter button repeatedly (as per the manual's instructions, usually for about 30 seconds) until the pilot ignites.
Furnace Not Igniting Because of Incorrect Thermostat Setting
Make sure the thermostat is set to heating and that the temperature is set high enough to actually turn the furnace on. It may be set at too low of a temperature to activate the furnace.
If there is a strong draft in your basement or attic, or if you are experiencing high winds, the pilot light may not light. In addition, if your furnace has a draft motor or blower that is malfunctioning or dead, the pilot won't light. The purpose of the draft motor is to pull air into and out of your chimney or vent.
Call in the Professionals
If resetting your electronic ignitor doesn't solve your furnace issue, you need to call a professional to look at it. Remember, you cannot light the electronic ignition manually. Contact an HVAC specialist at Sanks to diagnose and repair your furnace as soon as possible.
In most newer systems, the button is often directly next to the blower motor, while in older systems, it may be harder to spot as it is sometimes underneath or behind the motor. The reset button is often made of yellow or red plastic and marked with a large “R ” to make it easier to spot.
Since a standing pilot requires constant fuel, an electronic ignition is considerably more cost-efficient. This is because between electronic ignition vs. standing pilot, there would be little to no waste of gas for the first one as it shuts off as soon as the burners ignite.
Electronic Ignition
This spark ignites a gas pilot, which then works just like the standing pilot light did. A hot surface ignition system uses a resistance heating element similar to a light bulb filament, rather than a spark, to trigger the ignition of the main burners.
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.