This system uses a pilot flame but the pilot lights only when there s a call for heat from the thermostat.
Furnace pilot light vs electronic ignition.
Like a conventional pilot light an intermittent pilot light still uses a small gas powered flame to ignite the furnace s burners.
If you have a newer furnace or one with an afue rating above 80 it most likely has an electronic ignition system.
A switch remote or thermostat can be used with this system.
Electronic ignition gas ignition systems are more efficient than standing pilot gas ignition systems.
While electronic ignitions on furnaces are safer than pilot lights they still have their problems.
Intermittent pilot ignition.
The first is called an electric spark igniter which activates the pilot light only at times when it s needed.
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.
An electric spark then lights the pilot light so it can in turn light the burners.
It takes on the responsibility of a conventional pilot light lighting the furnace s burners but it does so in a more efficient manner.
Why did this change happen.
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.
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.
The furnace s electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high voltage spark to light the pilot.
When the furnace turns on a valve opens up and allows the gas to flow to the pilot light.
One type of electronic ignition is an intermittent pilot.
This type of electronic ignition completely eliminates the need for a flame to light the furnace s burners.
They have an ignition module that when turned on lights the pilot light.
The first is called a hot surface ignition.
There are two different kind of electronic ignition systems.
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.
In fact you rarely see standing pilot lights on newly manufactured furnaces anymore.
Instead an electronic ignition system ignites the burners.
Gas fireplaces have traditionally used a standing pilot light to ignite the flames.
Learn how to troubleshoot them with this guide.
Because that system does not use external electricity the fireplace works if the power goes out.
Intermittent pilot electronic ignition intermittent pilot systems are a newer technology.
Newer generations of gas fireplaces use an electronic ignition system requiring electricity to start up.
There are two different types of electronic ignitions.
Their function is to light the main burner without having a pilot light running.
