For decades, furnaces have used the conventional standing pilot ignition system to function. They depend on keeping a pilot flame lit to ignite the gas burners when they turn on. Since the pilot light relies on a continuous flow of gas to be kept burning, it is a wasteful ignition system. Newer furnaces do not use the standing pilot design; they use small devices that only ignite the gas when the furnace is ready to begin a heating cycle. These are called Electronic Ignition Furnaces. There are primarily two types of electronic ignition furnaces: hot surface ignition and intermittent pilot ignition.

Hot Surface Ignition
The hot surface ignition system, the more common of the two, eliminates the pilot light entirely and uses electricity to ignite the burners. It accomplishes this task by utilizing an electronic component like a light bulb as the hot surface igniter. When a current of electricity flows through the filaments of a light bulb and it becomes sufficiently hot, the gas that flows to the burners is ignited by the hot surface. As soon as the combustion is initiated, however, the flow of electricity to the hot surface igniter shuts off.

Intermittent Pilot Ignition
The intermittent pilot ignition system, on the other hand, uses a pilot light, but the pilot light turns on intermittently, only when the furnace is ready to begin a heating cycle. At other times, it remains off. With this system, when the thermostat cues the furnace to start, the small gas line dedicated to the pilot light opens. An electronic device then releases a spark that lights the pilot. The pilot, in turn, ignites the gas that flows to the burners. Once that happens, the gas line to the pilot shuts off, extinguishing the pilot.

If your current furnace operates on a traditional standing pilot, it may be time to have a new furnace installed; not only to save gas but also to keep your home and family safer. Maple Air Heating and Cooling, serving the Greater Toronto Area is happy to help you with purchasing and installing a new furnace. For more information about electronic ignition furnaces, contact us today. Also, check out the variety of furnaces offered at Maple Air Heating and Cooling, located in Vaughan; we offer options for all home sizes, budgets, and comfort levels.