Aleph Null
01-21-2005, 03:23 PM
http://www.theiowachannel.com/houseandhome/4116752/detail.html
Furnace Igniters Cause Problems On Homeowners' Units
Newer Models Also Effected
UPDATED: 1:34 pm CST January 21, 2005
AMES, Iowa -- Homeowners with energy-efficient furnaces may want to watch for igniter problems, one specialist pointed out Thursday.
Joyce Thies, an Ames resident, said she returned home from a vacation in California to find her home in shambles. Her ceiling was falling because her water pipes burst, and water was everywhere.
Thies said she left her heat on to keep the water pipes warm while she was gone, but she said the furnace's hot surface igniter quit working. She said this was not the first time that the ignitor broke.
Matt Converse, of Converse Conditioned Air in Ames and furnace expert, said to NewsChannel 8 igniter's failure is a common problem. He said the hot surface igniter replaces the pilot light system. He said the ignitor is more efficient and easier to take care of. But he added that some igniters are unpredictable and can fail at any time.
Converse Conditioned Air did not install the furnace or do maintenance on the furnace in Thies' home.
Converse said that with furnaces that are between four and seven years will start going through igniters. He suggested that if homeowners are going to be away in the winter that they make sure someone is checking on the furnace. He said that the igniter issue is the first thing the homeowners know if they are buying energy-efficient furnaces.
Converse said he would still recommend high-efficiency furnaces with these hot surface igniters, and he said the igniters are safer than pilot lights.
Thies rebuilt her house -- adding new cabinets, appliances and a bathroom. She has homeowner's insurance, but it will not cover all the damage. She said she checks her furnace twice per day to make sure it's running that that will not fail her again.
Furnace Igniters Cause Problems On Homeowners' Units
Newer Models Also Effected
UPDATED: 1:34 pm CST January 21, 2005
AMES, Iowa -- Homeowners with energy-efficient furnaces may want to watch for igniter problems, one specialist pointed out Thursday.
Joyce Thies, an Ames resident, said she returned home from a vacation in California to find her home in shambles. Her ceiling was falling because her water pipes burst, and water was everywhere.
Thies said she left her heat on to keep the water pipes warm while she was gone, but she said the furnace's hot surface igniter quit working. She said this was not the first time that the ignitor broke.
Matt Converse, of Converse Conditioned Air in Ames and furnace expert, said to NewsChannel 8 igniter's failure is a common problem. He said the hot surface igniter replaces the pilot light system. He said the ignitor is more efficient and easier to take care of. But he added that some igniters are unpredictable and can fail at any time.
Converse Conditioned Air did not install the furnace or do maintenance on the furnace in Thies' home.
Converse said that with furnaces that are between four and seven years will start going through igniters. He suggested that if homeowners are going to be away in the winter that they make sure someone is checking on the furnace. He said that the igniter issue is the first thing the homeowners know if they are buying energy-efficient furnaces.
Converse said he would still recommend high-efficiency furnaces with these hot surface igniters, and he said the igniters are safer than pilot lights.
Thies rebuilt her house -- adding new cabinets, appliances and a bathroom. She has homeowner's insurance, but it will not cover all the damage. She said she checks her furnace twice per day to make sure it's running that that will not fail her again.