No, a furnace will not run properly with a bad ignitor. While the indoor blower fan or the exhaust inducer motor might turn on, the furnace will not produce heat because the ignitor cannot light the gas burners.
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".
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.
A furnace ignitor typically lasts between 3 to 7 years, though exact lifespan depends on its material.
Parts: A new hot surface ignitor typically costs between $30 and $60. Labor: Professional labor costs usually range from $120 to $240, depending on your location and the service provider. Total Average Cost: Most homeowners can expect the total furnace ignitor replacement cost to be between $150 and $300.
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.
6 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Not Igniting
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.
5 Warning Signs It's Time for Furnace Replacement
When your furnace clicks but refuses to turn on, it typically means the electronic ignition sequence has failed. This is often caused by a dirty flame sensor, a cracked or burnt-out igniter, or a faulty gas valve.
A frozen pipes furnace failure can cause major problems inside your home. Ice builds up fast in unheated spaces, and when frozen water expands, it can burst pipes wide open. That kind of mess is the last thing anyone wants during a winter heating outage.
To reset your furnace safely, lower the thermostat and turn off the power at the furnace switch or circuit breaker. Wait 2 to 5 minutes, then turn the power back on. If your furnace has an internal reset button (usually red or yellow), press and hold it for 30 seconds.
So, when you have a faulty furnace ignitor that is not working correctly, the furnace won't be able to ignite, and the heating system comes to a stop as it won't be able to generate and blow hot air.
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 standard furnace lasts between 15 and 20 years on average, though electric furnaces can stretch up to 20 to 30 years. Regular maintenance, such as annual tune-ups and changing your filters every 1 to 3 months, is the most important factor in reaching or exceeding this lifespan.
However, with the passage of the new budget, homeowners now have until the end of 2025 to take advantage of the HVAC tax credits, which include: $2,000 for a qualified heat pump. $600 for a qualified air conditioner. $600 for a qualified gas furnace.
The "two-foot rule" in HVAC is a duct design and installation guideline that requires a minimum of 24 inches of straight, uninterrupted space between branch take-offs (where air taps off the main trunk). It is also applied to spacing branches away from end caps, transitions, and the main plenum.
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.
Ignition or Pilot Light Problems: Older furnaces rely on a pilot light that can blow out. Modern systems use electronic igniters—if these crack or fail, gas will not ignite. Gas Supply Issues: A closed gas valve or utility interruption will prevent the furnace from producing heat.
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.
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).
It's very important to understand that you cannot manually light a furnace with an electronic ignitor. However, it is possible to resolve the issue by resetting the ignitor.
To reset your furnace, start by turning off the circuit breaker and furnace power, wait about 30 seconds to a minute, then turn the power back on. If your furnace uses gas, you may also need to turn off the gas for a few minutes before turning it back on.