HVAC Training: 8 Reasons Why Hot Surface Ignitors Fail

[@foxfamilyhvac]

For those of you in the HVAC field who work on furnaces, this video might be a good refresher as to why hot surface ignitors fail.

[@dougsmaintenanceshop5868]

Fantastic video. The data here helped me discern why I replaced my HSI, then 4 months later it failed. I replaced it again, and watched it's operation. It stayed on as if stuck on. I shut my furnace down, let things cool, then started it up again. This time, once the furnace proved flame, I unplugged the HSI and plugged my voltmeter in. I sat and watched as the furnace ran for another 8 to 10 minutes and the circuit still was supplying the ignitor 120V. This helped me to discern I have a bad board. Thanks for the help. Incidentally, I am a Facilities & Project Manager, and electrician. This video provided me with industry regular clues to what I was already piecing together based on my own knowledge of forced air efficiency furnaces.

[@sfupresents121]

Very informative video. Thanks for the time u put into it.

[@avk1221]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. As always, I finished this video and walked away more informed.

[@foxfamilyhvac]

@tiny_aceman Very nice to hear. Makes me feel good hearing that!

[@virbone7141]

Thanks for sharing great experienced knowledgeable talks!! for learning and poor english language listeners as I am appreciate more slowly talking for better understanding and communication!!

[@bv2999]

Outstanding.

[@Darkdew13]

Make a video about those spark igniters you glanced over!! I would love to hear what you think of them, as I am a big fan of them.

[@foxfamilyhvac]

Will do. I have a couple of other videos in the works. Will try to swing back around to it. Thanks for watching!

[@unclejohn37]

How do you adjust a fan on a intertherm downflow so it stays on longer? My friends furnace eats ignitors and maybe that is the problem. So if it is adjustable to make it run a little longer, how is it done?

[@the_realJP_]

Very informative video, thank you!

[@HVACRDR]

Awesome video!

[@foxfamilyhvac]

Thanks Marcus!

[@watermanone7567]

Can a hot sur/face ignitor be replaced with another type that will last longer if the voltage is the same?

[@GotchaplumberGotchahvac]

Another good video!

[@melvinbonilla71]

Great video.

[@foxfamilyhvac]

Thank you Melvin!

[@crimestockinvestigation]

Wow loved this

[@foxfamilyhvac]

Awesome!

[@kissthefish2188]

4:30 the thing that makes them work is the voltage right? not the gas flow that eventually destroys them

[@K1LLADELPH1A-_-]

I just replaced it and it took a shit in 2 days. What gives? Ill watch this and hope this helps Its a ducane ...need the model let me know. Any info would help out. Thanks in advance

[@bv2999]

Trane xc95M Furnace: Gas will not ignite. Replaced Hot Surface Igniter. Now when call for heat Induction motor comes on, after about 45 seconds the induction motor turns off, and then the igniter starts to glow. Why is this out of sequence order? Should be Induction motor, Igniter Glow, Gas open, Ignite. Any idea what’s up?

[@johnnykurplutzo6789]

I've been having electrical problems. Lights dimming, getting bright. That probably snapped the ignitor. Ty.

[@edmakan1197]

I have a Heil Furnace. My problem here is that the HSI continues to glow after the burners ignite. ALso once the furnace turns off, the HSI remains glowing. At this point, I have to turn off the main power. My guess is the problem is in the circuit board area. I can't find any material on line about that problem. Any suggestions?

[@robertclaps5465]

Hey Ed, did changing the circuit board fix the problem?I have this issue currently.

[@sl5311]

@@robertclaps5465 Yeah would like to know this also for my Heil

[@eddiegomez3628]

Thank you

[@Sparky-ww5re]

Never heard of fingerprints shortening the life of a HSI, if I had to guess it has something to do with skin oils burning and creating hot spots and stress fractures, similar to halogen bulbs particularly the high power tubular style used in floor lamps that were trendy in the 1990s.

[@ying0129]

Ty brother

[@foxfamilyhvac]

Thanks for watching JM

[@sethvandiver1324]

I need help. Our HSI went out and was replaced and works fine now. Our furnace will light up correctly for a few days and then eventually will have a no light and go into ignition lockout. If I turn the furnace off and back on it will usually start again (typically on first try). The HSI always works and I can always here the gas valve solenoid “click” but it doesn’t always light. Any ideas on what causes this intermittent problem? It is a Bryant 90i from 2001

[@colonelradec5956]

my igniter stays lit after igniting and gets gas so now its tripping the flame rollout sensor cause its heating the inside. i can see it. guessing the board not sure.

[@paultrottier4893]

My HSI work intermittently. The furnace usually fires up instantly on the first try but recently the HSI will try to turn on many times to ignite the gas mixture. It will also sometimes ignite after the main blower starts. Could it be the signs of a worned HSI ? This furnace is a Coleman Evcon D.E.S 80.

[@urvilshah5591]

I am facing the same issue with my Carrier furnace

[@natelopz4974]

Can an igniter glow but not at full potential mean it's a bad igniter?

[@foxfamilyhvac]

I would say so. If it's getting full voltage but not working to full potential bad ignitor. 👍

[@bubbag9429]

I have a gas furnace, i can turn on the heat and it works, after hitting room temperature. It cuts off (normal). When it comes back on the flames stay for about 5 seconds then cuts off, the motor still runs but cool high comes out. I can turn off the breaker then turn it back on and use something to fan air in the furnace toward the ignition and then it works. Have to do this everytime. Could you please tell me what it might be? Thanks.

[@kissthefish2188]

Your flame sensor might be bad, that would be close to the HSI, possibly built into it. Definitely near the flame though =]

[@bubbag9429]

@@kissthefish2188 I'll replace that and see if its better. Thanks

[@youallanone]

My hot surface igniter is 24 volt.

[@genesisabreu5089]

Never saw the 8 reason why igniter fails!

[@shahkazemian3320]

$115 is better than paying for surface igniter and technician every year before starting the furnace ! Just saying 😁

[@pilotboy217]

Literally know nothing about furnaces and I was able to self diagnose and find the cracked ignitor. Simple molex connection and 3 screws and your done. I just lost my heat and I just ordered the new ignitor. Now I gotta freeze to death for 3 days until it arrives.