How To Light An Electric Furnace

In one type of resistance furnace the heat producing current is introduced by electrodes buried.

How to light an electric furnace. Re light the pilot light with a flame if it doesn t have an electric ignition. If you can t get the pilot in your electric furnace to light it s usually a simple matter to turn it back on. Electric furnaces are available in a variety of sizes to heat homes of nearly any size. Although today s standard electric furnace uses a hot surface ignition older models often use an intermittent pilot to ignite heat.

A third type the resistance furnace is still used in the production of silicon carbide and electrolytic aluminum. An intermittent pilot system uses an electronically controlled high voltage electric spark to ignite a pilot light and subsequently the main burners when the thermostat calls for heat. This isn t very dangerous but you should use caution. An older gas furnace has a standing pilot that stays on all the time or at least it s supposed to.

A number of things can make an old furnace pilot light go out including a strong draft a faulty thermocouple or a loss of gas. In addition many dual furnaces use some form of electric furnace. A modern gas furnace usually has an electronic spark generator to ignite the gas when the thermostat calls for heat. For example an oil electric furnace uses the electric elements during the majority of the furnace use while the oil fuel is used during peak heating times in order to lower costs.

There electric heating elements heat the air and the blower pushes the warmed air back into rooms through a system of duct work. How to light the pilot light to your furnace. Unlike older pilot lights which have to be lighted by hand automatic pilot lights now commonly found in most home furnaces are regulated by a thermostat and only ignite when needed. The pilot uses a high voltage spark of electricity to ignite heat when the thermostat indicates that it s getting too cold.

The most common reason for this problem is because the pilot light is not on. With a long lighter bring a flame close to the pilot light opening. As with a gas forced air furnace it has a blower that draws air into the cabinet through a cold air return and then pushes the air through the heat exchanger. In this type the furnace charge i e the material to be heated serves as the resistance element.

Turn the switch or knob to pilot and hold down the reset button. An electric resistance furnace works like a big hair dryer. When your furnace fails to ignite the first place to look is the pilot light.