When your furnace refuses to start on a cold winter morning, it’s easy to imagine the worst: “Do I need a whole new heating system?” But in many cases, the culprit is far smaller and much easier to fix — your hot surface ignitor (HSI).
This small but powerful component is responsible for lighting your furnace burners. Without it, no gas ignites, no flame appears, and your furnace can’t deliver heat. Fortunately, when an ignitor fails, replacement is usually straightforward and affordable.
In this guide, we’ll help you recognize the warning signs of a failing hot surface ignitor, understand when it’s time to replace it, and learn how to extend its lifespan.
Goodman 0130F00008S Hot Surface Ignitor
🏠 What Does a Hot Surface Ignitor Do?
Think of the hot surface ignitor as the spark plug of your furnace. Instead of producing a spark, it uses electrical resistance to heat up until it glows red-hot (around 2,500°F). When your thermostat calls for heat:
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The furnace’s control board sends voltage to the ignitor.
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The ignitor heats until it glows.
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The gas valve opens, releasing gas into the burners.
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The glowing ignitor lights the gas-air mixture.
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A flame sensor confirms ignition, keeping the gas flowing.
Without a properly working ignitor, this sequence breaks down — leaving you with a blower running cold air or, worse, no furnace action at all.
For more details on how furnaces work, see Energy.gov’s furnace basics guide.
🚨 Common Signs of a Failing Hot Surface Ignitor
Let’s walk through the most common symptoms Savvy homeowners should watch for.
❌ 1. Furnace Won’t Start at All
The most obvious symptom: you hear the thermostat click, maybe the blower kicks on, but the burners never light. Without ignition, the furnace shuts itself down for safety.
❌ 2. Blower Runs, But No Flame
If the blower is circulating air but you only feel cold air, the furnace likely attempted ignition but failed.
❌ 3. Short Cycling
The furnace starts, then quickly shuts down. It may retry a few times, then lock out. A weak ignitor can’t reliably light the burners, triggering safety shutdowns.
❌ 4. Clicking or Humming Sounds with No Heat
If you hear mechanical noises (relays clicking, blower humming) but see no flame through the burner window, the ignitor may not be reaching the required temperature.
❌ 5. Visible Damage on the Ignitor
Carefully inspect (with power OFF):
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Cracks in the ceramic or silicon surface
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White chalky buildup (sign of oxidation)
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Dark burned spots or pitting
👉 If you notice any of these, replacement is almost certainly needed.
For more visual cues, see HVAC School’s troubleshooting guide.
🔍 Is It Really the Ignitor? (Other Issues to Rule Out)
Not every ignition failure means the ignitor is bad. Other common causes include:
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⚡ Flame Sensor Failure – Furnace lights but immediately shuts off.
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⚡ Faulty Control Board – No power reaching the ignitor.
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⚡ Gas Valve Issues – Ignitor glows but gas doesn’t flow.
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⚡ Pressure Switch Problems – Preventing the ignition cycle from starting.
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⚡ Thermostat Wiring Issues – No heat signal being sent.
A quick multimeter continuity test can help confirm whether the ignitor itself is bad. A healthy ignitor will usually measure 40–90 ohms. If it reads “open” (infinite resistance), it’s burnt out.
For more diagnostics, check ACHR News: Troubleshooting Ignition Systems.
⏳ Lifespan of a Hot Surface Ignitor
Like light bulbs, ignitors don’t last forever.
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Silicon Carbide Ignitors (older style)
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Lifespan: 3–5 years
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More fragile, prone to cracking
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Silicon Nitride Ignitors (modern style)
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Lifespan: 5–10 years
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More durable, withstand temperature cycling better
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👉 The Goodman 0130F00008S Hot Surface Ignitor is a silicon nitride design, making it more reliable for long-term use.
Factors that shorten lifespan:
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Excessive furnace cycling
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High household dust levels
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Touching the ignitor surface (oil from fingers causes hot spots)
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Electrical surges
🛠️ DIY vs. Professional Replacement
✅ When DIY Makes Sense
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You’re comfortable turning off power/gas
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You can follow basic steps safely
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The issue is clearly the ignitor (confirmed by visual inspection or continuity test)
Steps to Replace (High-Level):
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Shut off furnace power and gas.
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Remove access panel.
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Disconnect wiring harness from ignitor.
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Unscrew and remove old ignitor.
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Install the new ignitor (avoid touching the surface).
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Reconnect wiring, restore power/gas, test furnace.
🛑 Important: Ignitors are fragile. Handle carefully and avoid over-tightening screws.
🚫 When to Call a Pro
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You suspect issues with control board, flame sensor, or gas valve.
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You don’t have tools to test continuity.
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You’re uncomfortable working around gas/electrical systems.
For safety guidance, see Family Handyman’s furnace repair tutorial.
💰 Cost of Ignitor Replacement in 2025
Replacing an ignitor is one of the more affordable furnace repairs.
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DIY Part-Only: $30–$80 (OEM Goodman part in this range)
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Professional Service: $150–$300 (includes service call and labor)
👉 Compare that to replacing a full furnace ($3,000–$7,000), and it’s clear why catching ignitor issues early matters.
For updated national averages, check furnace repair costs.
🧰 How to Prevent Premature Ignitor Failure
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Change Filters Every 1–3 Months
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Keeps dust away from sensitive components.
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Keep Furnace Clean
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Vacuum around burners and blower during seasonal maintenance.
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Avoid Touching the Ignitor Surface
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Oils from skin damage the ceramic.
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Check Voltage Regularly
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Surges can burn out the element.
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Schedule Annual Tune-Ups
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A tech can spot early wear before complete failure.
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For a full seasonal checklist, see Energy Star’s HVAC maintenance tips.
🌍 Eco & Efficiency Angle: Why Replacing Matters
A weak or failing ignitor causes:
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Multiple failed ignition attempts
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Wasted natural gas
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Excessive furnace cycling (wears out other parts)
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Higher utility bills
Replacing it promptly not only keeps your family warm but also supports energy efficiency.
For context, see EPA’s heating efficiency resources.
✅ Savvy Homeowner Takeaway
Here’s what you need to remember about hot surface ignitors:
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🔥 They’re essential for starting your furnace safely.
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🚨 Warning signs include no ignition, short cycling, and visible cracks.
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⏳ Lifespan: 3–7 years (carbide) / 5–10 years (nitride).
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💰 Cost: $30–$300 depending on DIY vs. pro replacement.
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🛠️ DIY is possible, but don’t hesitate to call a pro if other components are suspect.
👉 As a Savvy homeowner, the best move is to keep a spare OEM ignitor on hand (like the Goodman 0130F00008S) so you’re never left in the cold.
In the next topic we will know more about: Goodman 0130F00008S Compatibility Guide: Which Furnaces Use This Ignitor?
