Furnace Pilot Light Electronic Ignition

This system uses a pilot flame but the pilot lights only when there s a call for heat from the thermostat.

Furnace pilot light electronic 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. The first is called an electric spark igniter which activates the pilot light only at times when it s needed. The electronic ignition gas ignition systems utilize energy only when needed. Electronic ignition systems there are two basic types of electronic igniters in modern furnaces.

There are two different kind of electronic ignition systems. The pilot light or ignition sensor is usually the most common issue when your furnace will not ignite. This is typically the problem if you can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up. An electronic ignition lights uses electricity to heat itself up instead of using a gas powered flame.

Electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient than standing pilot gas ignition systems. Like a conventional pilot light an intermittent pilot light still uses a small gas powered flame to ignite the furnace s burners. An electric spark then lights the pilot light so it can in turn light the burners. Intermittent pilots still use a pilot light however it isn t a standing pilot light that remains on all the time to ignite the burner whenever the gas turns on.

These systems only utilize electronic ignition only on a call for heat or a call for the gas furnace gas fired boiler or gas fired water heater to fire. The furnace s electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high voltage spark to light the pilot. There are two basic types of electronic ignition systems. When the furnace turns on a valve opens up and allows the gas to flow to the pilot light.

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. A faulty or dirty ignition or sensor is a relatively easy fix so follow these steps and you may be able to solve the problem yourself. 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.