Can a Furnace Ignitor Be Cleaned? Tips for Maintaining Your Furnace’s Ignition System

Keeping your furnace in top shape is essential for maintaining a comfortable home, especially during the colder months. One crucial component that requires regular maintenance is the ignitor. If your furnace has been acting up, it might be time to clean the ignitor. In this article, we’ll explore the process of cleaning a furnace ignitor and provide some helpful tips to keep your heating system running smoothly.

Understanding Your Furnace’s Ignition System

Gas furnaces rely on an ignition system to light the burners and start the heating process. Depending on the age and model of your furnace, it may have one of several types of ignitors:

Direct Spark Ignitors
Hot Surface Ignitors
Intermittent Ignitors
Standing Pilot Ignitors

Knowing which type of ignitor your furnace has is crucial for determining the appropriate cleaning method.

Cleaning a Hot Surface Ignitor

If your furnace has a hot surface ignitor, you can clean it physically by following these steps:

Turn off the power supply to the furnace at the main breaker panel or nearby wall switch.
Disconnect the ignitor wires and remove the screws holding it in place.
Carefully lift out the ignitor, being gentle as it is a fragile component.
Rub the ignitor probe with fine steel wool or emery cloth to remove any carbon buildup.
Replace the ignitor, reconnect the wires, and restore power to the furnace.

After cleaning, test the ignitor by turning up the thermostat to see if the furnace starts properly.

Using Compressed Air to Clean Ignitors

Compressed air can be an effective way to clean both hot surface ignitors and spark ignitors:

For hot surface ignitors, use a can of compressed air with a plastic straw attachment to blow air directly at the ignitor probe, removing any carbon deposits.
If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it’s working intermittently, soot buildup may be the culprit. A blast of compressed air can help clean the ignitor and restore proper function.
Compressed air can also be used to clean a blocked pilot tube, which can cause the pilot flame to burn weakly or not at all.

When using compressed air, be gentle and avoid excessive pressure, as it can potentially damage internal furnace components.

Regular maintenance and cleaning of your furnace’s ignition system can help prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure efficient heating throughout the winter. If you’re unsure about the process or encounter any issues, it’s always best to consult with a professional HVAC technician for assistance.