If your furnace clicks, hums, or tries to start but never actually ignites, the ignitor is one of the top suspects. It's a small part, but when it fails, nothing else in the system can compensate for it. Here's what to look for, what it costs, and how the fix works.
A furnace ignitor is small, inexpensive, and one of the more common parts to fail.
Signs Your Ignitor Is Failing
Most ignitor problems show up the same way every time: the furnace goes through its startup sequence, you hear the inducer motor and gas valve click, but no flame ever appears. In other words, everything else works except the one part responsible for actually lighting the burner.
Hot Surface vs. Intermittent Pilot Ignitors
Most furnaces built in the last few decades use a hot surface ignitor, a small ceramic element that glows and ignites the gas directly. Older systems may use an intermittent pilot instead, which lights a small pilot flame first. Both wear out with age and thermal cycling, though hot surface ignitors are generally more fragile, since the ceramic can crack from a single rough bump.
How Much Does Ignitor Replacement Cost?
Parts alone typically run $20 to $60, but professional replacement — including diagnosis, the part, and labor — usually falls between $150 and $400, depending on your furnace model and how accessible the ignitor is. Rare or proprietary ignitors from certain manufacturers can push costs higher.
Can You Replace an Ignitor Yourself?
Technically, yes, if you can source the exact part for your model and you're comfortable working near the gas valve and control board. However, hot surface ignitors are notoriously fragile and can crack from finger oils alone, so a licensed gas furnace technician is worth the cost for most homeowners who don't do this kind of repair regularly.
What the Professional Replacement Process Looks Like
A technician will first confirm the ignitor is actually the problem, rather than the flame sensor, control board, or gas valve. From there, they'll source the correct replacement part and swap it in, usually within 30 to 45 minutes. Afterward, they'll run a full heating cycle to confirm consistent ignition.
How to Make a New Ignitor Last Longer
Ignitors fail faster when they're exposed to dust and debris, so keeping your filter clean reduces unnecessary thermal stress on the part. Avoid touching a new ceramic ignitor with bare hands during installation, since skin oils can create hot spots that shorten its lifespan.
Furnace Ignitor Types Compared
Here's how the common ignitor types stack up.
| Ignitor Type | Average Lifespan | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hot surface ignitor | 3–7 years | $150–$300 |
| Intermittent pilot | 5–10 years | $200–$400 |
| Universal replacement ignitor | 3–5 years | $100–$250 |
Furnova Furnace Repair, your local expert service provider, keeps the most common ignitor models stocked on every service vehicle. That means most Richmond Hill customers get their heat back the same day they call.
An ignitor is inexpensive compared to almost every other furnace part, so there's rarely a reason to put off replacing one once it's confirmed as the cause. Left alone, repeated failed ignition attempts can also let unburned gas build up inside the combustion chamber.