Furnace Pilot Light Vs Electronic Ignition

The electronic ignition gas ignition systems utilize energy only when needed.

Furnace pilot light vs electronic ignition.

One type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot. A switch remote or thermostat can be used with this system. Intermittent pilot ignition. An electric spark then lights the pilot light so it can in turn light the burners.

The first is called an electric spark igniter which activates the pilot light only at times when it s needed. If you have a newer furnace or one with an afue rating above 80 it most likely has an electronic ignition system. In fact you rarely see standing pilot lights on newly manufactured furnaces anymore. Because that system does not use external electricity the fireplace works if the power goes out.

When the furnace turns on a valve opens up and allows the gas to flow to the pilot light. This type of electronic ignition completely eliminates the need for a flame to light the furnace s burners. There are two different kind of electronic ignition systems. Lighting a pilot that is electronic ignition.

Gas fireplaces have traditionally used a standing pilot light to ignite the flames. Instead an electronic ignition system ignites the burners. There are two different types of electronic ignitions. Like a conventional pilot light an intermittent pilot light still uses a small gas powered flame to ignite the furnace s burners.

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. Learn how to troubleshoot them with this guide. Why did this change happen. Electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient than standing pilot gas ignition systems.

These systems only utilize electronic ignition only on a call for heat or a call for the gas furnace gas fired boiler or gas fired water heater to fire. 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. 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. It takes on the responsibility of a conventional pilot light lighting the furnace s burners but it does so in a more efficient manner.

While electronic ignitions on furnaces are safer than pilot lights they still have their problems. The furnace s electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high voltage spark to light the pilot. 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. This system uses a pilot flame but the pilot lights only when there s a call for heat from the thermostat.