Electronic Ignition Furnace Pilot Light

How to tell if an ignitor on a gas furnace is working.

Electronic ignition furnace pilot light.

Unlike older pilot lights which have to be lighted by hand automatic pilot lights now commonly found in most home furnaces are regulated by a thermostat and only ignite when needed. Gas furnaces now come with an igniter that works electronically to light the gas and heat the home. I may have to replace my gas water heater soon and am weighing the options. One type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot.

The electronic ignition is only turned on when the furnace is ready to begin a heating cycle and it eliminates the need for a constant fuel supply that a conventional pilot light requires. Intermittent pilot ignition. As a result an electronic ignition cannot blow out and it is also more efficient because it doesn t require a gas supply at all times like a traditional pilot light does. This type of electronic ignition uses a small flame to ignite the burners just like a conventional pilot light.

This system uses a pilot flame but the pilot lights only when there s a call for heat from the thermostat the furnace s electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a. The pilot light faulty ignition sensor the pilot light or ignition sensor is usually the most common issue when your furnace will not ignite. If you have an older furnace with a traditional pilot light especially if your system is experiencing operational problems consider upgrading to a new system that uses an. The electronic ignition system in a gas furnace is a modern development that provides more reliable performance than a standing pilot and offers energy savings through better furnace efficiency.

Another kind of electronic ignition is known as an intermittent pilot light. Like a conventional pilot light an intermittent pilot light still uses a small gas powered flame to ignite the furnace s burners. Thank you for your interesting discussion of pilot lights vs. Electronic ignition vs standing pilot modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burners in modern furnaces.

The difference is that the flame is only lit by an electronic spark when your furnace is ready for a heating cycle. This is typically the problem if you can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up. There are two basic types of electronic ignition systems. When your furnace fails to ignite the first place to look is the pilot light.

A faulty or dirty ignition or sensor is a relatively easy fix so follow these steps and you may be able. Although i understand that electronic ignition is more efficient i worry about not having hot water during a power outage. Lighting a pilot that is electronic ignition comment. One can still purchase a gas furnace or water heater with the old standing pilot ignition systems these systems have been proven reliable and safe over time.