Like most house appliances, HVAC systems fail, leaving you in the cold.
Unfortunately, this happens occasionally.
Even with regular maintenance practices, your furnace can malfunction. The fault could be a common problem that needs a simple, quick fix, or perhaps it could be a serious issue like a faulty furnace ignitor that needs a replacement. To be sure, you have to test your ignitor using a multimeter. If it stays at zero or shows infinity, it means the igniter is damaged and needs replacement. This process can be intimidating. You can request the help of an HVAC repairman or your HVAC contractor. An igniter made of silicon nitride has an estimated lifespan of up to 10 years, while igniters made of silicon carbide have an expected lifespan of up to 5 years. Due to their infallible nature, you’ll need to replace them after a while. The replacement process is simple and can easily be done as a do-it-yourself project. Before beginning your work on the gas furnace igniter, switch the electric power off and cut your gas source. Work in a properly ventilated room using appropriate safety gear and equipment. Unscrew and take off the service panel positioned on your furnace’s side to locate the ignitor, which is often mounted on a V-shaped bracket next to the gas port. Using pliers, pull the plug on the wires attached to the back of the ignitor to remove them from the socket inside your furnace and remove the broken ignitor. At this point, you may want to take a few photos to refer to later when fitting in the new ignitor. Position the new ignitor in place and connect its wires into the socket. Put back the furnace service panel and secure it tightly in place with screws. After installing everything back in place, you may turn on the power and restore the gas source. Your mission is successful if your ignition glow is back on.