Symptoms of a Faulty Furnace Ignition System

Have furnace troubles turned your Stockbridge, GA home into an oversized walk-in freezer? Heating problems can occur for many reasons, but one of the most common culprits is a faulty furnace ignition system. As such, it’s worth keeping in mind the telltale signs of a bad furnace ignitor.

Your Furnace Won’t Fire Up

The job of a furnace ignition system is to provide the spark that lights your furnace’s burner, beginning the combustion process. Not surprisingly, then, the clearest indicator of a bad ignition system is a furnace that won’t ignite. You may hear it attempt to start up, but since the burner can’t fire, the system won’t produce any heat. However, your HVAC system may also blow cold air if it’s accidentally set to cooling mode, so remember to double-check your thermostat!

Your Heater Is Short-Cycling

Does your furnace repeatedly try to start up, only to quickly shut down and begin the process all over again? This condition, known as short-cycling, is often triggered when a furnace’s safety devices detect a potentially hazardous problem. This may include issues with a damaged or malfunctioning ignition system. These short, frequent cycles can cause serious damage to your heater, so it’s important to have your equipment checked right away.

Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

A single tripped circuit here or there isn’t necessarily an emergency, although it may warrant scheduling a routine service visit. If your furnace’s electrical circuit is tripping frequently, however, the ignition system could be experiencing a serious failure. A short in the ignitor can generate dangerous power surges that repeatedly overload and trip the circuit.

Whatever problems you’re experiencing, the good news is that faulty furnace ignition systems are usually quick and easy to fix. To get your heater up and running again, call Jones Climate Control today for speedy professional heating repairs throughout Stockbridge and surrounding communities.