Nashville summers may reach uncomfortable 87-degree highs around midday, especially in July and August. However, winters go to opposite extremes, with highs hovering just above freezing point. More concerningly, the lows from December to February regularly remain in the low 20s, and that’s the worst time to have furnace ignition failure in your home.
At Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., our specialized team has over 20 years of experience providing HVAC services in Nashville, IN, and surrounding areas. We see this issue occur a lot and know exactly how to fix it. Below, we’ll explain the signs and reasons for your ignition failure.
1. Your Furnace Has a Faulty Ignitor in Nashville
If you have a gas furnace, the ignitor opens the gas valve to the connecting gas line and ignites the gas as it flows into the burner. Sparking the fuel source encourages combustion, and as the gas burns, it creates heat. Unfortunately, if the thermocouple doesn’t detect a flame, it’ll force the gas valve shut and end the combustion cycle, causing your furnace to stop heating or turn off altogether.
In turn, your heating system may short cycle, causing hot and cold spots around your home while also raising your Nashville energy bills due to the constant starting and stopping. You may also notice strange noises, such as snapping or clicking since the faulty ignitor is attempting to but failing to spark.
In some cases, a tripped circuit breaker could cause a furnace ignition failure if the furnace pulls more power than the breaker can handle. Even if it’s not an issue with breaker power, the ignitor’s control board may have an improper voltage, leading to the board tripping instead. Aside from power issues, a faulty ignitor can also develop from:
- A dirty ignitor that needs cleaning
- An old ignitor past its five-year lifespan
- A worn ignitor that needs replacing
2. Dirty Burners Prevent Your Furnace From Igniting
Not all ignition issues develop from the ignitor itself. Again, the gas flows into the burner, and the burner lights to heat the gas and start combustion. However, your indoor Nashville air carries contaminants like dirt, dust, and dander, so when the return ducts pull this air into the burner compartment, the debris settles on the burner.
This buildup, alongside soot and residue left behind from previous ignitions, keeps the gas from burning evenly. As a consequence, dangerous carbon monoxide gases develop and remain in the chamber. Also, a reduction of adequate heat generation and combustion ensues, especially since the air inside this compartment won’t warm up.
If left unchecked, it can lead to your Nashville furnace ignition failure, so contact a professional to blow compressed air through the dirty gas burners. They’ll also use a brush or cloth to remove excess filth and help your system regain optimal burning efficiency. Keep your house clean by regularly dusting and vacuuming and seasonally changing out dirty air filters to reduce air pollutants.
3. Clogged or Inadequate Gas Lines Prevent Heat Production
Gas is equally important as a functioning burning component. It’s the natural fuel that ignites to produce heat that warms your home. Unfortunately, any of the following causes your furnace to undergo incomplete combustion, produce insufficient heat, and create a carbon monoxide buildup:
- A gas line that is too small for your heating unit
- An improper gas line connection to your furnace
- A leaking line that limits the flow into your burner
- Clogs in the line
Specialists use a gas pressure gauge to determine the amount of gas flow to your furnace. They’ll adjust the regulator or ask your manufacturer about an adapter to which they can attach a larger gas line, if necessary, to bar furnace ignition failure.
If you have a poor gas connection, technicians reconnect the line to prevent further leaks. If leaks are coming from the line itself, they’ll patch the affected areas, but large holes or extensive damage throughout the surface require a line replacement for absolute safety.
Finally, clogs that originate from anything from debris to tree branches demand drain augers or probes for remediation.
Our Nashville Team Is Your Greatest Advantage – Request Furnace Repairs Today
From improper thermostat settings to gas line issues, anything can cause furnace ignition failure in your heating system. Our Advantage Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. team has 4.9-star ratings on Google and Facebook and a perfect five-star rating on Yelp can help. So, when preparing your furnace for winter, reach out to us for reliable HVAC assistance in Nashville, Indiana.
