Furnace Pilot Light Vs Electronic Ignition

One type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot.

Furnace pilot light vs electronic ignition.

Newer generations of gas fireplaces use an electronic ignition system requiring electricity to start up. They have an ignition module that when turned on lights the pilot light. Intermittent pilot electronic ignition intermittent pilot systems are a newer technology. However an intermittent pilot light is started by an electronic spark and only burns when a heating cycle is ready to begin.

This system uses a pilot flame but the pilot lights only when there s a call for heat from the thermostat. If you have newer furnace or you re planning on having one installed in the near future it probably doesn t use a pilot light at all. Instead an electronic ignition system ignites the burners. An electric spark then lights the pilot light so it can in turn light the burners.

When the furnace turns on a valve opens up and allows the gas to flow to the pilot light. While electronic ignitions on furnaces are safer than pilot lights they still have their problems. A switch remote or thermostat can be used with this system. Like a conventional pilot light an intermittent pilot light still uses a small gas powered flame to ignite the furnace s burners.

The first is called a hot surface ignition. The first is called an electric spark igniter which activates the pilot light only at times when it s needed. Their function is to light the main burner without having a pilot light running. If you have a newer furnace or one with an afue rating above 80 it most likely has an electronic ignition system.

Gas fireplaces have traditionally used a standing pilot light to ignite the flames. In fact you rarely see standing pilot lights on newly manufactured furnaces anymore. 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. Electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient than standing pilot gas ignition systems.

Lighting a pilot that is electronic ignition. It takes on the responsibility of a conventional pilot light lighting the furnace s burners but it does so in a more efficient manner. Why did this change happen. Lighting the pilot light for a standing pilot gas system is possible whereas lighting the pilot for an electronic ignition system is possible if you have a backup generator or other source of power to power that circuit.

There are two different kind of electronic ignition systems. The furnace s electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high voltage spark to light the pilot. This type of electronic ignition completely eliminates the need for a flame to light the furnace s burners. The electronic ignition gas ignition systems utilize energy only when needed.

There are two different types of electronic ignitions. Learn how to troubleshoot them with this guide.