Help! My Furnace Won’t Ignite

When the weather gets chilly, many of us turn to our furnaces to keep us warm for the winter months to come. One furnace problem homeowners frequently face is when the furnace’s electronic ignition system fails. While this isn’t a reason for immediate concern, it’s a good idea to take a deeper look at your unit to ensure everything is operating correctly before you attempt to turn your gas furnace on again. If your furnace won’t ignite, or you hope to build on your current furnace knowledge, you’ve come to the right place! Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, INC. is here to help you discover what could be causing your electronic ignition system problems. 

Common Reasons Furnace Startup or Ignition Issues

There are several reasons why your gas furnace ignitor could be having issues. Some are simple fixes, while others may require professional assistance as they are more involved.

Something is Restricting Air Flow

A dirty air filter could cause an interruption in airflow and prevent the burners in your furnace from igniting. Make sure you are changing your furnace filter regularly (Every 3 months, or 90 days) to prevent airflow issues.

Gas Line Issues

The problem could be that the natural gas supply to your furnace is shut off. Turn the gas valve back open, and see if the furnace ignites. If it doesn’t, we recommend bringing in a professional HVAC technician to take a look. If you, at any point during this process smell gas, leave your home and call your gas company as soon as possible.

Defective Thermostat

First, make sure your thermostat has batteries. Check/replace the batteries then, make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” mode. If that doesn’t get your furnace to ignite, call an HVAC professional to look into this further.

Broken Flame Sensor

The flame sensor is a failsafe that is responsible for turning off the furnace’s burners to avoid gas buildup. If this component is broken, it could be preventing the furnace from igniting out of caution. The only solution to a broken flame sensor is to replace it with a new one.

Malfunctioning Furnace Igniter

If your gas furnace is older it might still have a standing pilot light to ignite its burners. If that’s the case, standing pilot lights have a tendency to go out, and can be relit if you’re very careful. If your furnace has an electronic furnace ignition system, a dirty or burned igniter can prevent burners from igniting.

Furnace Needs to be Cleaned

A clean furnace is a happy furnace, and if you’ve been skipping professional maintenance, your burners might be dirty and unable to bring in the oxygen needed to make your furnace ignite. Call Robinson’s expert furnace repair professionals to clean your burners and allow them to function properly.

Furnace Repair Experts in Middletown

No one wants a broken furnace in the middle of the winter. If your heating system doesn’t seem to be igniting properly, give Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. a call! Whether it’s an issue with your standing pilot light or hot surface igniter, a gas flow problem, or a dirty furnace filter, Robinson’s heating experts will be able to pinpoint the cause and provide quality furnace repairs in a timely manner.

Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is here to serve your heating needs with our professional furnace repair services! Give our team a call to discuss your options and find the perfect solution for your home. Call us today or complete our online contact form to schedule an appointment.