Replacing a furnace ignitor typically costs between $150 and $400 total, depending on whether you hire a professional or do it yourself.
The heat exchanger is often considered the most costly part of a furnace to repair or replace. It is a critical component that transfers heat from the combustion process to the air that circulates throughout your home. Over time, heat exchangers can crack due to the constant heating and cooling cycles they undergo.
A furnace ignitor typically lasts 3–5 years and costs $30–$100 for the part, with professional installation running $150–$300 total.
A furnace ignitor typically lasts between 3 to 7 years. However, the exact lifespan largely depends on the material, your furnace's usage, and how well you maintain your system:
It's possible for a furnace to still run with a faulty ignitor, yet the air coming from the vents will be cold, not warm. Unless the ignitor lights the burners to burn fuel, your furnace won't have warm air to distribute around your home or business.
The $5,000 rule is a guideline to help homeowners decide whether to repair or replace their HVAC system. You multiply the age of your unit by the cost of the needed repair. If that number exceeds $5,000, replacing your HVAC system is often more cost-effective.
Replacing a furnace ignitor typically takes 15 to 45 minutes. An experienced technician can often complete the job in under 20 minutes. The process involves shutting off the power, removing the access panel, swapping out the part, and reassembling the unit.
What fails first on a furnace? The most common early failures are the furnace ignitor or flame sensor, as they experience regular wear and tear and are critical to starting the heating cycle.
Try the Salvation Army, a local church, or a community action agency. Their rules may be different. Ask About Payment Plans: Many local HVAC contractors, including Smart Climate Solutions, offer payment plans for urgent repairs because we believe everyone deserves a warm home.
Yes, you should highly consider replacing a 30-year-old furnace. Most furnaces have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. At 30 years old, your system has likely outlived its expected life. It is operating at a much lower efficiency than modern units and presents a significantly increased risk of catastrophic breakdown or dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
Without the ignitor, your heater won't blow hot air. It's a critical part of the furnace system since it is responsible for lighting the burner that starts the combustion process that turns fuel into heat. In older units, the furnace ignitor is a traditional pilot light.
Resetting a furnace igniter usually involves performing a power cycle to clear a system lockout, though some electric models have a physical high-limit reset button. If the igniter is cracked or covered in carbon buildup, it will need to be inspected and potentially cleaned or replaced.
A bad hot surface igniter (commonly used in furnaces and ovens) may show a physical break, hairline fracture, white burnt-out lines, or dark scorched spots. In many cases, it will simply fail to glow bright orange-yellow when the appliance attempts to start, or it will only glow dimly.
The Most Expensive Parts to Repair in a Furnace
Furnace ignitor failure is usually caused by physical fragility, electrical issues, environmental stress, or normal wear and tear. Because igniters heat up and cool down thousands of times, they naturally degrade over time, typically lasting between 3 and 7 years.
How long do furnace igniters typically last? Most hot surface igniters last 3-5 years with normal use. Spark igniters may last 5-7 years. Factors that affect lifespan include power quality in your home, how often your furnace cycles, and whether you get regular maintenance.
To determine if your furnace ignitor is bad, look for visible cracks, listen for repeated clicking noises without a flame, or check for a bright orange glow during startup. To confirm a failure, you can test it using a multimeter set to measure resistance (Ohms).
To get your furnace to kick on, first verify your thermostat is set to "Heat" and raised at least 5 degrees above room temperature. Next, check that the furnace power switch (usually resembling a standard light switch on or near the unit) is toggled "ON".
A dirty furnace filter can cause a lot of problems, including failure to ignite. Check the filter and change it if it's dirty. You should change the HVAC filter every 1-3 months, depending on the quality of the filter.
So what is the $5,000 rule? Simply multiply the age of your AC unit by the repair cost, and if that exceeds $5,000, then replace the unit. If less, go ahead and repair it. For example, if your unit is 10 years old and the repair will cost $350, multiply 10 x 350 to equal $3,500.
5 Warning Signs It's Time for Furnace Replacement