How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace Ignitor?
by the Berry team · Updated
Replacing a furnace ignitor usually costs about $150-$400 with a technician, and the part is often $20-$80 for a universal model or more for a brand-specific one. Ignitors are one of the most common furnace failures, and a careful DIYer can replace one, but it is worth confirming the ignitor is actually the problem first.
What an ignitor job costs
Ranges are typical US prices. Brand-specific parts, after-hours calls, and harder-to-reach furnaces cost more.
| Repair | What it involves | DIY cost | Pro cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot surface ignitor | The most common type in modern furnaces. Glows bright orange to light the burners. | DIY$20-$80 for a universal part, more for an OEM part | Pro$150-$400 |
| Spark or intermittent pilot ignitor | Found on some furnaces. Clicks and sparks to light a pilot or the burners. | DIYNot recommended | Pro$150-$450 |
| Flame sensor clean or replacement | Often mistaken for an ignitor problem. The burners light, then shut off within seconds. | DIY$0-$10 to clean, $15-$40 for a new sensor | Pro$80-$250 |
| Control board | If a new ignitor gets no power, the board that controls it may have failed. | DIYNot recommended | Pro$300-$800 |
| Gas valve | Ignitor glows but the burners never light, and gas is reaching the furnace. | DIYNot a DIY job | Pro$300-$800 |
Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.
Signs the ignitor failed
- The furnace clicks on and the inducer fan runs, but the burners never light.
- There is no orange glow through the viewing window when the furnace tries to start.
- The furnace tries to start several times and then locks out, often with a blinking error code.
- Heating has been unreliable, working some days and not others, as the ignitor weakens.
If the burners light and then go out after a few seconds, that is usually not the ignitor. It is more often a dirty flame sensor, which is cheaper to fix. See why a furnace keeps turning on and off for how to tell the two apart.
Check these before blaming the ignitor
- The thermostat is set to "Heat," set above room temperature, and has power. A blank screen is a different problem, see why a thermostat goes blank.
- The furnace switch is on, and the breaker has not tripped.
- The furnace door is seated firmly, since a loose panel cuts power through a safety switch.
- The filter is clean. A clogged filter can cause overheating shutdowns that look like ignition problems. See how often to change your air filter.
- The gas is on at the furnace valve, and other gas appliances in the house work.
Replacing it yourself
If you are comfortable inside a furnace, a hot surface ignitor is a manageable DIY repair. Turn off the furnace switch and the gas valve, remove the burner access panel, unplug the ignitor, and remove the mounting screw. Match the replacement to your furnace model or the part number on the old one, and install it without touching the ceramic element with bare hands, since oil from your skin can shorten its life.
If a new ignitor still does not glow, the problem is upstream, often the control board or wiring. That is the point to call a technician.
How long ignitors last
Hot surface ignitors often last several years, and they wear with every start. A furnace that short cycles, starting far more often than it should, wears out its ignitor faster. If you have replaced more than one in a few years, have a technician look at why the furnace is starting so often.
When to call a pro
- You smell gas at any point. Leave the house and call your gas company from outside.
- A new ignitor does not glow, or glows but the burners do not light.
- The furnace shows an error code you cannot decode, or locks out repeatedly.
- You see scorch marks, soot, or melted wiring near the burners.
- You are not comfortable working with the gas off and the panel open.
What makes it worse if you wait
- A weak ignitor tends to fail completely on a cold night, when the house is losing heat and service calls are busiest.
- In hard freezes, a furnace that stays off for long can leave pipes in exterior walls or crawl spaces at risk.
- Repeated failed starts and lockouts can wear on other parts, and they often hide a second problem a technician should look at.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a furnace ignitor?
Usually about $150-$400 with a technician, including the service call. The part alone often runs $20-$80 for a universal ignitor, more for a brand-specific part.
How do I know if my furnace ignitor is bad?
If the furnace clicks and the inducer fan runs but there is no orange glow through the viewing window and the burners never light, the ignitor is a likely cause. If the burners light and then go out, it is more likely the flame sensor.
Can I replace a furnace ignitor myself?
Many homeowners can if they are comfortable turning off power and gas and working inside the furnace. Match the part to your model, handle it by the base, and do not touch the ceramic element. Call a pro if you smell gas or the new ignitor does not work.
How long does a furnace ignitor last?
Often several years. Every start wears it a little, so a furnace that short cycles goes through ignitors faster.
Not sure that's your problem? Snap a photo and Berry will tell you what it is and what it should cost.
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