What a Flame Sensor Is and Why It Matters
Receiving your annual furnace maintenance helps keep your heating equipment running up to 30% more efficient and helps extend the life of your system. But things may still stop working, and when they do, you could feel like you’re always hearing about something else.
This time it’s your blower, next time it’s your pressure switch. Now you need to replace your flame sensor.
Also, what is a flame sensor?
A flame sensor is an important safety component on your gas heating system. During the ignition sequence, your gas furnace undergoes a process where either a spark or a hot surface igniter will ignite the gas. Once the gas is ignited, the flame sensor produces a current of electricity. The current is quantified in micro amps. If the furnace’s control board fails to read the right level of micro amps, the furnace will no longer give the system fuel to avoid an explosion.
Over time, if the flame sensor is not cleaned appropriately, oxidation or carbon buildup can restrict the flame sensor’s ability to function properly, which can cause the furnace to malfunction.
The way to determine if a dirty flame sensor is to blame for a furnace malfunction is to take a micro amp draw reading, which an expert furnace technician can give you. If a dirty flame sensor is the culprit, the technician will clean the sensor with steel wool. If dirt was the only factor, we will see a much higher amp reading. If the reading doesn’t change, the technician will proceed with the furnace repair diagnostic process.
If you aren’t certain your furnace is going to outlast these last few weeks of winter, give Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning a call and we’ll come out and provide you with a full furnace maintenance or a complimentary in-home estimate on a new heating system.
