The electric igniter on our gas central heater is broken. Is it safe to just use a lighter?

Question

The heating company has to order the part, and it's cold!!! Can I just use a lighter to get the heater started each time we turn it on?
Thanks!

Answer 1

A lighter is probably not long enough. You need a long fireplace match or a match on the end of a wire made for that purpose.

This will only work if there is actually a pilot light. If the heater is ignited by an electrical pilot then it can't be done.

Answer 2

Yes but that assumes that the heater is not automatic and does not periodically turn on the main flame and want an igniter on its own. If it tried it would go into a lockout and have to be reset. If there is an electric igniter I believe it does not have a pilot flame so it is not just a matter of getting the pilot started.

If it just needs lighting and then stays on as long as heat is called for, then a long match or a soda straw with the end lit would do it. Just make sure your hand and your sleeve are not in the fire zone while you are doing the lighting.

Answer 3

There are two different electrical ignition systems currently in use for central-heat gas furnaces.

The first type uses an electrical spark to light the pilot on demand, when the thermostat calls for heat. However, there are fail-safe mechanisms that prevent opening the valve to the main burner if the pilot doesn’t light. Although this type of ignition is more efficient than a constantly-on pilot flame, it does require a control module to cycle the spark on and off, open a valve to the pilot, and sense whether or not the pilot ignited. All of this has to happen before the main burner valve will open, so manually lighting the main burner is not an option.

The second type uses an electrically heated silicon carbide igniter. This igniter comes on when the thermostat calls for heat. After a short delay, pilot gas is passed over the igniter and the resulting pilot flame ignites the main burner. Again, all of this requires a control module and there are fail-safe mechanisms that prevent sending gas to the main burner if the igniter fails. Manually lighting the main burner is not an option for this type either.

Modern forced-air central heating systems are fairly complicated because a number of things must be controlled to maximize efficiency. The thermostat you set does not directly control the main burner. It simply advises the control module when more heat is needed. Before that heat appears in your ventilation ducts a number of things must happen in sequence, the main burner lighting being just one of them.

The heat exchanger, or bonnet, must be heated to operating temperature before the forced-air ventilating fan starts to avoid blowing cold air out the vents. Then, as the room air temperature approaches the desired temperature, but before it actually reaches it, the main burner is shut off. The ventilating fan continues to operate because there is residual heat in the heat exchanger to transfer to the house. The ventilating fan shuts off when the temperature in the heat exchanger drops to a predetermined level. By this time, the thermostat has signaled the control module that the desired temperature was reached or slightly exceeded, so the system shuts down until the room air cools enough to start the cycle over again.

Clearly, with either type of electrical ignition system, it is inadvisable to attempt to bypass anything to try to light the main burner manually. If your living quarters are too cold for comfort, consider wearing extra layers of clothing and using electric blankets on the beds until the furnace is repaired. DO NOT attempt to use the kitchen stove for heat! This is one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning occurring during the winter season.

Answer 4

i might by no ability use a propane heater in a tent. i might by no ability use any form of heater interior a tent, I prefer a heat dozing bag. an electric heater is safer seeing it would not require explosive gas or oxygen. electric warmers require a great form of ability and in the progression of moist climate an electrocution risk. in case you nonetheless plan on using an electric heater confirm you have an extension twine with the right score if no longer you will overheat the component and it will close down. you will needless to say be finding for a campground that has hookups.

Answer 5

This isn't a real good idea, on the kitchen stove, if that's where you got the idea, is a little different. You see once the flame is out, it isn't going to come on again and, it may not work anyway. The electrical pilot may also open the regulator to the gas, someone from a gas company here may be able to answer that one.

Answer 6

Ignitors are about the most common part - call another heating contractor!