How to Clean a Hot Surface Igniter
- Step 1 – Turn off the Gas and Electricity To be safe, whenever doing work on a stove, furnace, or other gas fueled device, it is wise to shut off the gas. ...
- Step 2 – Remove the Hot Surface Igniter ...
- Step 3 – Locate the Filter ...
- Step 4 – Clean the Electrical Housing of the Furnace ...
Can a furnace ignitor be cleaned?
Once you have removed the sensor, rub the metal rod with fine grit sandpaper to remove grease and dirt. Then, use a clean paper towel to wipe away any remaining dust or dirt. Once you've cleaned it, replace the sensor and the screw, and your furnace should start working again.
Can you clean a spark igniter on a furnace?
Compressed Air To Clean The Igniter If your heating system has a spark ignitor and isn't working accurately, it may get coated in soot, and a blast of pressurized air may be all that's needed to clean it.
What are the symptoms of a bad furnace ignitor?
Here are a few indications that you have a faulty ignitor.No Cold Air. ... The Furnace Won't Come On. ... The Furnace Suddenly Stops Blowing. ... Starts, Then Stops, Then Starts Again. ... Tripping the Breaker More Than Once. ... I Hear the Click, But Nothing Happens. ... Flame Sensor Problems. ... Short Circuit.More items...•
How do I clean the igniter sensor on my furnace?
1:053:46Flame Sensor Cleaning - Furnace Cycling On and Off - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you have a situation like this what you have 90% of the time is just a dirty flame sensor. SoMoreSo if you have a situation like this what you have 90% of the time is just a dirty flame sensor. So we'll go through the steps on how to clean it. So the right side of the furnace.
How often should furnace ignitor be replaced?
The igniter glows red and then lights the burners in the gas furnace. Over time, the igniter is continually getting red hot and then cooling, creating stress on the element. Because of this, igniters have a 3-5 year life expectancy. They will eventually crack and need to be replaced.
What would cause a gas furnace not to ignite?
Common types of natural gas issues include gas leaks, blocked gas lines, and malfunctioning gas valves. If the gas line is off, simply turn it back on. If the furnace won't ignite after doing this, call an HVAC professional to check for other potential problems.
How much does it cost to have a furnace ignitor replace?
A furnace ignitor replacement costs $100 to $250 on average. Most universal hot-surface ignitor prices are $15 to $35 for the part alone. Gas furnace ignitor prices are $20 to $100 for parts from the original manufacturer (OEM). The labor cost to replace a heater ignitor is $80 to $200.
How do you test a furnace ignitor?
1:052:22York # 02532625000 - Continuity Test (Gas Furnace Ignitor) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet the multimeter to the lowest ohms of resistance. Next touch the probes together and adjust theMoreSet the multimeter to the lowest ohms of resistance. Next touch the probes together and adjust the needle until it's calibrated at zero. If you're using a digital multimeter.
Are all furnace ignitors the same?
Most ignitors are interchangeable as long as they fit in the furnace space provided. Select your ignitor by looking at the one you have, and comparing it to the photos of ignitors here; select the one most similar.
What happens when flame sensor is dirty?
If your flame sensor is dirty or faulty, it will automatically shut down the heating unit if it doesn't detect a flame. Most furnaces will go into a safety ignition lockout when a shutdown happens three times.
How often does a flame sensor need to be cleaned?
The service life of a furnace is 10 to 20 years on average. This means you'll have to replace a flame sensor once, twice or three times over the course of the furnace's life. Having a bad flame sensor is completely normal–you just need to know how to properly identify when it's gone bad so you can replace it on time.
What causes a furnace flame sensor to get dirty?
It is a sensitive sensor so any type of dust or carbon buildup could cause it to malfunction. Most people have their furnaces in a basement or laundry area where there is excess dust in the air. This dust could stick to the sensor making it dirty and causing your furnace to shut down.
How do you clean a spark igniter?
The igniter is situated at the gas orifice, which is often at the back of the oven. Use the toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water or a 50/50 vinegar solution to clean the surface of the igniter. Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia or any other chemical that could produce noxious fumes.
Can a hot surface ignitor be cleaned?
It is not necessary to clean a hot surface igniter as it blow off any dust. However contrary to silicon carbide ceramic hot surface ignitor which are very brittle and shouldn't be touched, silicon nitride hot surface ignitor are very robust and can be cleaned manually iff really necessary.
How do you test a furnace ignitor?
1:052:22York # 02532625000 - Continuity Test (Gas Furnace Ignitor) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet the multimeter to the lowest ohms of resistance. Next touch the probes together and adjust theMoreSet the multimeter to the lowest ohms of resistance. Next touch the probes together and adjust the needle until it's calibrated at zero. If you're using a digital multimeter.
How do you fix a furnace that clicks?
Loud clicking sounds can be heard when inducer blowers and fan shafts are clogged by buildup or when bearings are worn out. Bearings on the main blower motor might click as the furnace runs because the shaft is rusted or dirty. Cleaning and lubricating the fan shaft will help fix the problem and prevent premature wear.
How to clean gunk from a gas igniter?
To clean this, make sure the controls are off, remove the burner cap and then chip away at the gunk with a plastic toothpick or similar implement . If you have to do a more extensive cleaning job, use a toothbrush and bleach-free cleaner, such as water and baking soda, vinegar or dish soap.
How to clean a gas burner?
If you have to do a more extensive cleaning job, use a toothbrush and bleach-free cleaner, such as water and baking soda, vinegar or dish soap. After scrubbing off the electrode and the base, dry both with a paper towel and try the burner. You should see a strong bluish spark and the gas should ignite readily.
How to remove igniters from stove top?
With the cooktop propped up or completely removed, you can see all the igniters, which are usually clipped onto the burner assembly with retaining clips and connected with quick-disconnect fittings. Disconnect each one, remove the clip and take it off the stove for deeper cleaning with a toothbrush.
What happens if a gas stove igniter is wet?
If a gas stove igniter sparks weakly or not at all, it could be wet. Perhaps someone allowed a pot to boil over and some of the water got onto the igniter and hasn't evaporated yet. Dry off the igniter with a paper towel and it should start working, but do this only when all the other burners are off.
What is the function of an oven igniter?
When an oven igniter reaches the requisite temperature, a bimetallic valve opens and allows gas to flow to the burner, which the igniter ignites. The oven igniter can easily get caked with gristle, and keeping it clean is as important as cleaning ...
What is an igniter on a gas stove?
In short, an igniter is a miniature lightning strike. A gas stove igniter requires very little maintenance and you seldom have to clean it. However, if the electrode gets wet or caked with solidified grease, electricity won't arc, although you'll still hear the clicking sound of the control module.
Why does my gas stove make a clicking sound?
If your gas stove makes a clicking sound when you turn on a burner , it has an electronic ignitor as opposed to a standing pilot, which is found mostly on older models. The clicking sound is produced by high-voltage electricity, which is generated by a transformer and passed between an electrode and a post on the stove placed close enough ...
Cleaning The Exterior
The exterior is the first area that needs to be cleaned as it is exposed to dirt and dust. You need to remove the accumulated grime, dirt, and dust deposits. To do that, grab a cloth, wet it so that it is slightly damp, and begin cleaning the exterior parts.
Remove And Clean The Blower Motor
Now, move on to cleaning the blower motor. Locate the control panel and unscrew if it gets in the way. Then, using a ratchet and socket set, carefully remove the bolts that help secure the blower unit in place. Make sure to store the bolts in a safe place and remove the blower unit gently to avoid any damage.
Clean The Igniter
Next, it is time to clean the pilot or hot surface igniter using a drinking straw. The reason is that the igniter is a very sensitive component. If it gets damaged during the process, the furnace will not work. Therefore, using a straw, simply blow away as much dirt and dust as possible until it is clear and clean.
How does a hot surface igniter work?
A hot surface igniter acts like light bulb filaments in the sense that electrical currents pass into it. Instead of generating light though, the igniter’s goal is to generate enough heat to ignite gas that, in turn, heats the air in a furnace. If the mechanisms inside the furnace get too dirty, however, they can cause a hot surface igniter to fail. Unfortunately, simply cleaning these parts is more difficult than it seems because the ignition side of a hot surface igniter should never be touched. Instead, it is primarily the peripheral parts of the hot surface igniter that must be cleaned. Follow the steps below to learn how.
Is it safe to shut off gas?
To be safe, whenever doing work on a stove, furnace, or other gas fueled device, it is wise to shut off the gas. The shut-off is usually a ball valve located before the first appliance after the gas line enters the house. In this case, because the hot surface igniter is hardwired into the house’s electrical system, it is smart to turn off the electricity to the house as well by flipping the main circuit breaker off.
What to do if furnace doesn't work?
If your furnace does not seem to be functioning properly even after you clean the filter, blower, and heat exchange, contact a professional for an inspection, cleaning, and possible repairs.
Why is it important to clean your furnace?
Cleaning your furnace is an important task to keep on your home maintenance schedule. A dirty furnace will burn higher amounts of electric and/or gas fuel as well as work less effectively than a clean furnace. There are 3 basic parts of your furnace that can be impacted by the presence of dirt: the filter system, the blower, and the heat exchanger. ...
What happens if the blower assembly is dirty?
If the blower assembly is dirty, your furnace will push dust and dirt out through the vent system of your home. Thus, it is very important to clean the assembly well.
How to tell if furnace filter is dirty?
If you are unsure whether your filter is dirty, hold it up to the light, and look through it. If you cannot see the light, the filter is dirty and needs to be replaced. A dirty filter will circulate dirt and dust through your home instead of usable, clean air and will force your furnace to work harder to push air through the grime.
What are the parts of a furnace that can be impacted by dirt?
There are 3 basic parts of your furnace that can be impacted by the presence of dirt: the filter system, the blower, and the heat exchanger. You must know how to clean a furnace effectively and do so regularly if you want to extend the life of your current furnace and prevent costly repairs. Steps.
What to do if your filter doesn't fit?
If the filter doesn’t seem to fit properly, make sure that no dirt or debris is blocking it. If you have a new filter that doesn’t seem to fit right, double-check that you purchased the correct type or size.
Where is the furnace filter located?
Usually, the filter is found inside the front of the furnace . You may need to unscrew the front panel from the furnace or remove it from hooks that hold it in place in order to access the filter. Your furnace filter may also have its own access door. Make sure to turn off the furnace and/or HVAC system before opening it.
