One of the most common winter service calls I get starts with a simple question: “Do you know how to reset a furnace igniter?” Sometimes it’s phrased slightly differently—“How do I reset my furnace ignitor?”—but the concern is the same. The furnace isn’t producing heat, and the homeowner assumes the igniter is the problem.
That assumption makes sense if you’re dealing with a gas or oil furnace. Igniters are critical components in combustion-based heating systems, and when they fail, heat stops. But when the conversation shifts to electric furnaces—especially modern systems like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace—the idea of “resetting an igniter” becomes much more nuanced.
In this article, I’ll explain what furnace igniters do, how resets apply to gas and oil systems, and why electric furnaces like the MBVK don’t rely on igniters at all. I’ll also walk through common misconceptions, safe troubleshooting steps, and why homeowners moving to electric heat experience fewer ignition-related problems overall.
What Is a Furnace Igniter?
A furnace igniter is a component found in combustion-based furnaces, primarily gas and oil systems. Its job is to ignite the fuel so the furnace can produce heat.
There are two common types of igniters:
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Hot surface igniters (HSI): These heat up electrically until they glow and ignite gas
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Spark igniters: These generate a spark, similar to a gas grill
When homeowners search for how to reset a furnace igniter or how to reset a furnace ignitor, what they’re usually dealing with is a furnace that failed to ignite and locked out for safety reasons.
Why Furnaces Lock Out After Ignition Failure
Modern furnaces are designed to shut down when ignition fails. This protects against:
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Unburned fuel accumulation
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Delayed ignition
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Fire hazards
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Carbon monoxide risks
If a furnace fails to ignite after a set number of attempts, the control board locks the system out. At that point, heat will not resume until the system is reset—either automatically or manually, depending on the furnace design.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission emphasizes that ignition failures and improper resets can pose serious safety risks if not handled correctly (CPSC Heating Safety Guidance).
How to Reset a Furnace Igniter (Gas and Oil Furnaces)
If you are working with a gas or oil furnace, resetting the igniter typically involves resetting the entire furnace, not the igniter alone.
Here is the general process homeowners refer to when asking how to reset a furnace ignitor:
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Turn off power to the furnace at the breaker or service switch
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Wait 30–60 seconds to allow the control board to fully power down
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Restore power to the furnace
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Observe the ignition sequence
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Listen for ignition and burner operation
Some older furnaces also include a manual reset button on the burner control or ignition module. Pressing that button clears the lockout and allows another ignition attempt.
Important safety note:
Repeated resets without correcting the underlying issue can cause serious damage and safety hazards.
Common Reasons Igniters Fail
Before resetting anything, it’s important to understand why ignition failed in the first place.
1. Worn or Cracked Igniter
Hot surface igniters are fragile. Over time, they develop hairline cracks and eventually fail.
2. Dirty Flame Sensor
A dirty flame sensor can cause the furnace to shut down even if ignition occurs.
3. Gas Supply Issues
Closed valves, low gas pressure, or supply interruptions prevent ignition.
4. Control Board Failure
If the control board fails to send voltage to the igniter, ignition never occurs.
5. Airflow or Draft Problems
Blocked vents or pressure switch failures can stop ignition as a safety measure.
These are all issues unique to combustion-based furnaces.
Why the Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace Has No Igniter to Reset
Here’s where the conversation changes.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace does not use an igniter.
There is:
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No gas valve
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No burner
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No flame
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No ignition sequence
Electric furnaces generate heat through electric resistance heating elements, not combustion. Because of this, searching for how to reset furnace igniter doesn’t apply to systems like the MBVK.
Instead of igniters, the MBVK relies on:
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Electronic control boards
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High-limit temperature switches
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Staged heating elements
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Variable-speed ECM blower motors
This eliminates an entire category of failures that gas and oil furnaces experience.
The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes electric resistance heating as a safe and reliable option when properly installed and maintained (DOE Electric Heating Overview).
What Happens When an Electric Furnace Doesn’t Heat?
When an MBVK electric furnace fails to produce heat, the issue is typically related to:
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Power supply problems
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Tripped breakers
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Faulty heating elements
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Airflow restrictions
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Safety limit shutdowns
Instead of “resetting an igniter,” troubleshooting focuses on restoring safe electrical operation.
How Resetting Works in the Goodman MBVK
Although the MBVK does not have a traditional reset button, it does have reset logic.
If a fault occurs, the furnace will:
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Shut down affected heating elements
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Run the blower if needed to dissipate heat
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Display diagnostic codes on the control board
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Resume normal operation once conditions normalize
In some cases, resetting the furnace involves cycling power—turning the breaker off and back on—rather than pressing a button.
This is fundamentally different from resetting an igniter on a gas furnace.
Comparing Igniter-Based Furnaces to Electric Furnaces
| Feature | Gas/Oil Furnace | Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Igniter Required | Yes | No |
| Combustion | Yes | No |
| Manual Reset | Common | Rare |
| Fuel Delivery | Gas/Oil | Electricity |
| Flame Sensor | Yes | No |
| Carbon Monoxide Risk | Yes | None |
| Diagnostic Codes | Limited | Advanced |
This comparison highlights why homeowners switching to electric furnaces experience fewer ignition-related service calls.
Common Misconceptions About Furnace Igniter Resets
“I can just reset it and it’ll be fine”
Resets are warnings, not solutions. Repeated resets indicate unresolved issues.
“Electric furnaces have igniters too”
They don’t. Electric furnaces heat directly without combustion.
“Holding the reset longer helps”
It doesn’t. Holding reset buttons longer can increase risk in fuel-burning systems.
Maintenance Differences: Igniter vs Electric Heating Elements
Gas/Oil Furnace Maintenance
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Igniter inspection and replacement
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Flame sensor cleaning
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Burner adjustment
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Combustion analysis
Goodman MBVK Maintenance
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Air filter replacement
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Electrical connection inspection
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Heating element continuity checks
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Control board diagnostics
Goodman provides extensive documentation and technical support for MBVK maintenance and diagnostics (Goodman MBVK Product Information).
When to Call a Professional
You should contact a licensed HVAC technician if:
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Your gas furnace repeatedly fails to ignite
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Resetting restores heat only briefly
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You smell gas or experience delayed ignition
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Your electric furnace shows persistent fault codes
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Heating elements or control boards need replacement
The Goodman technical resources available to professionals outline safe diagnostic procedures for electric furnaces (Goodman Technical Resources).
Why Many Homeowners Move Away From Igniter-Based Systems
Over time, many homeowners decide they want fewer ignition failures, fewer safety concerns, and less maintenance.
They choose electric furnaces like the MBVK because:
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No igniter failures
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No fuel delivery issues
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No combustion risks
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No carbon monoxide concerns
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Fewer emergency winter service calls
When paired with heat pumps, electric furnaces offer efficient, reliable heating with fewer mechanical points of failure.
Final Thoughts from Mike Sanders
Understanding how to reset a furnace igniter is important if you own a gas or oil furnace—but it’s just as important to understand why igniter problems exist in the first place. Igniters fail because combustion systems are complex and sensitive.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace takes a different path. By eliminating combustion entirely, it removes igniters, flames, and fuel from the equation. The result is a simpler, safer heating system with fewer reset scenarios and clearer diagnostics.
If you’re tired of ignition issues and reset buttons, electric heat may be worth serious consideration. Fewer igniters usually mean fewer headaches—and warmer winters.
