Most furnace flame sensors cost less than $20, but if you opt to have a professional HVAC technician make the repair, you can expect to pay between $75 and $250. Need help replacing your flame sensor?
A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.
A flame sensor is a steel rod, not prone to failure, unless there's a build-up on it. Neither part is expensive, and both can be replaced in 20 minutes, assuming it's not hard access.
The sensor's failure to detect a flame causes the furnace to shut down as a safety measure. Inconsistent heating: A faulty flame sensor can cause the furnace to cycle on and off frequently, leading to inconsistent heating in your home. You may notice hot and cold spots or a lack of comfortable warmth.
Flame sensors have an average lifespan of about five years. Therefore, you can expect to need to replace it at least twice before replacing your entire heating system.
Most furnace flame sensors cost less than $20, but if you opt to have a professional HVAC technician make the repair, you can expect to pay between $75 and $250. Need help replacing your flame sensor?
Do flame sensors wear out? Flame sensors wear over time. However, often the problem is a dirty sensor, rather than a broken one. Since these sensors are designed to have a low tolerance for reading variations, they might misread from the slightest carbon coating.
1. Will a furnace run without a flame sensor? No, a furnace will not operate without a flame sensor.
While the average life span of a flame sensor is about five years, many technicians recommend replacing the flame sensor a little more often at every two to three years. This schedule helps ensure that the flame sensor is always in good condition and not causing problems with the gas supply.
So, when the flame sensor doesn't sense a flame, the unit's pilot light remains unlit, and the gas valve closes.
Flame detectors are also effective in detecting fires in areas where smoke detectors would be prone to false alarms, such as kitchens, garages, and other areas with high levels of smoke or steam. Flame detectors are also less prone to false alarms than smoke detectors.
Most flame sensors have a life expectancy of about 20 years. Before reaching the end of its lifespan, the sensor will start to malfunction from natural wear. It's best to replace the sensor before it gets to that point.
The average cost of an HVAC service call is about $100 to $250, depending on the problem. The total hourly rate for an HVAC technician ranges from $65 to $150+ per hour, with additional parts costing anywhere from $40 to over $1000.
Repair: If your furnace system is less than 15 years old and the cost of repair is less than half the cost of replacement. Replace: If your furnace system is more than 15 years old and requires a costly repair to maintain efficiency.
While there's no such thing as furnace or boiler replacement insurance, homeowners insurance may cover the cost to replace your furnace or boiler if it's damaged or destroyed by a covered peril.
Since your sensor is made of metal, rust can build up, preventing proper sensing of the flame. The other possible issue is a cracked insulator or otherwise defective sensor. It may be that a short has developed in the electrical component, stopping communication with the control board.
After removing the soot and corrosion, soak a lint-free cloth in alcohol and wipe the sensor clean. While cleaning a flame sensor will get you through the night or longer, we advise replacing it once it has to be cleaned.
Your Furnace Turns On and then Off Quickly
If your furnace starts up, but then turns off within a few seconds it is short cycling. Short cycling is a common sign of a bad flame sensor.
Having a working flame sensor is critical for a functioning furnace. While most furnaces last for 10 to 20 years, flame sensors have a much shorter lifespan of about five years. Usually, when a flame sensor goes bad, the best route is to replace it outright.
There is a work-around to waiting. If there is no safety risk (like a gas leak), a furnace can be reset to bypass this wait. Turn off the furnace's power switch and wait 10 seconds before turning it back on.
Broken Flame Sensor
If it's broken or malfunctioning, it may fail to detect the flame and shut off the gas supply as a precaution, even if the burners are actually lit. This can result in your furnace starting the ignition process but failing to stay lit.