When your furnace suddenly stops producing heat, the hot surface ignitor (HSI) is often the problem. This small component, responsible for lighting the burners, works under extreme heat and electrical load — which means it eventually fails.
The good news? Replacing a Goodman hot surface ignitor is one of the most approachable DIY furnace repairs, as long as you take the proper safety steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from preparation and tools to a step-by-step installation walkthrough.
🔥 What a Hot Surface Ignitor Does in Your Furnace
The hot surface ignitor is a ceramic or silicon-based part that heats up to about 2,500°F when energized by the control board. Once it glows red-hot, the furnace opens the gas valve, and the ignitor lights the gas-air mixture in the burners.
Without a functioning ignitor, your furnace can’t light — leaving you with cold air blowing or no operation at all.
Goodman furnaces commonly use the 0130F00008S silicon nitride ignitor, an OEM replacement designed for durability and compatibility. Using the correct ignitor ensures:
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✅ Safe ignition cycles
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✅ Longer part life compared to generic substitutes
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✅ Warranty compliance
For background on ignition systems, see Energy.gov – Furnaces and Boilers.
⚠️ Safety First: Preparing for Ignitor Replacement
Working on your furnace involves both electricity and natural gas. That means safety precautions come first.
✅ Shut Off Power and Gas
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Flip the furnace breaker off in your electrical panel.
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Shut off the gas supply valve leading to your furnace.
✅ Gather the Right Tools
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Screwdriver or nut driver
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Work gloves
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Flashlight or work light
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Multimeter (to test resistance if needed)
✅ Protect the Ignitor
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Ignitors are extremely fragile. Even light pressure can crack them.
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Oils from your skin can cause hot spots → premature failure. Always handle with gloves or by the ceramic base.
For more safety tips, check Family Handyman’s furnace repair safety guide.
🔧 Step-by-Step Installation Instructions
Here’s the Savvy homeowner walkthrough for replacing your Goodman ignitor:
1. Turn Off Power and Gas
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Locate your breaker panel and shut off the furnace circuit.
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Close the gas shut-off valve.
2. Remove the Furnace Access Panel
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Use a screwdriver or release latches (varies by model).
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Set panel aside carefully.
3. Locate the Ignitor
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Found near the burner assembly inside the furnace.
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It’s usually mounted with two screws and connected by a small wiring harness.
4. Disconnect the Wiring Harness
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Gently unclip or pull the connector apart.
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Do not tug on the wires themselves.
5. Remove the Old Ignitor
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Unscrew the mounting screws with a nut driver.
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Carefully slide the ignitor out without touching the heating element.
6. Inspect the Old Ignitor
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Look for cracks, white oxidation spots, or burned areas.
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If it looks damaged, you’ve confirmed the replacement need.
7. Install the New Goodman 0130F00008S Ignitor
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Slide the ignitor into the mounting bracket.
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Secure with screws (do not overtighten).
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Connect the wiring harness.
8. Reassemble the Furnace
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Replace the access panel.
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Restore power and gas.
9. Test the Furnace
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Set thermostat to “heat” and increase temperature.
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Watch through the sight glass: the ignitor should glow, gas should flow, and burners should ignite within seconds.
🛑 If ignition fails after replacing the ignitor, further troubleshooting may be needed (flame sensor, control board, or gas valve).
For a visual step-through, see RepairClinic’s furnace ignitor video.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many ignitors fail prematurely due to installation mistakes. Avoid these pitfalls:
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❌ Touching the heating surface → oils cause hot spots → cracks.
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❌ Overtightening screws → ceramic base cracks.
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❌ Using the wrong ignitor type → improper heating and early burnout.
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❌ Skipping safety steps → risk of shock or gas leak.
🔍 Testing the New Ignitor
After installation, confirm it’s working properly.
Visual Test
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Look through the furnace window or access point.
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The ignitor should glow bright orange before burners ignite.
Multimeter Test (Optional)
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Disconnect ignitor wiring.
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Measure resistance with a multimeter:
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Silicon nitride: ~40–90 ohms
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Infinite reading = broken element
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For detailed testing guidance, see HVAC School – Hot Surface Ignitors.
🛠️ When to Call a Professional Instead
While ignitor replacement is DIY-friendly, some scenarios require an HVAC pro:
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The ignitor glows but gas doesn’t ignite → possible gas valve issue.
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No power reaching the ignitor → control board failure.
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Furnace repeatedly cycles and shuts down → could be flame sensor, pressure switch, or airflow problem.
👉 If you’ve replaced the ignitor and the furnace still won’t light, call a licensed technician.
For expert diagnostics, see ACHR News: Troubleshooting Furnace Ignition Systems.
💰 Cost & Time Estimates
DIY Replacement
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Part Only (Goodman 0130F00008S): $30–$80
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Time Required: ~30 minutes
Professional Replacement
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Service Call + Labor: $150–$300
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Total Time: 1–2 hours (includes diagnostics)
👉 Compare this to the cost of replacing a furnace ($3,000+), and you’ll see why catching an ignitor failure early is a budget-saver.
For national averages, see Furnace Repair Costs.
🧰 How to Extend the Life of Your Ignitor
Preventive care goes a long way:
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Change filters regularly → reduces overheating.
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Vacuum furnace cabinet → dust accelerates ignitor wear.
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Avoid touching the ignitor during cleaning or inspection.
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Use a surge protector to prevent electrical damage.
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Schedule annual maintenance → technician checks voltage and flame quality.
For official guidelines, see Energy Star – HVAC Maintenance Tips.
✅ Final Savvy Homeowner Takeaway
Replacing a Goodman hot surface ignitor is one of the most DIY-friendly furnace repairs you can make.
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🔥 The ignitor is essential for starting the burners.
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🛠️ The Goodman 0130F00008S OEM ignitor ensures compatibility and reliability.
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⏱️ Replacement takes about 30 minutes.
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💰 Costs range from $30–$300 depending on DIY vs. pro install.
👉 If you’re confident with tools and follow safety steps, you can handle this repair yourself. But remember: if the furnace still won’t ignite after replacement, call in a pro.
Keeping a spare ignitor on hand is one of the smartest moves for a Savvy homeowner — ensuring you’re never left without heat when you need it most.
In the next topic we will know more about: How Much Does a Furnace Hot Surface Ignitor Cost in 2025?
