Furnace igniter replacement: diagnostic fees and parts coverage
A furnace igniter quote should separate the ignition diagnosis from the exact replacement part and the combustion safety checks. Use this guide to compare a covered part with the labor that remains.
Do not compare an igniter quote by symptom alone. “Furnace clicks but will not light” can involve the igniter, control board, gas valve, flame sensor, pressure switch, or venting. A complete proposal names the failed part and includes a safe startup and combustion check. ENERGY STAR’s maintenance checklist says heating service should check gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and the heat exchanger because improper operation can create fire or health hazards (ENERGY STAR checklist).
The part itself can be inexpensive. SupplyHouse listed a Supco IG418 120-volt silicon-carbide hot-surface igniter at $17.17 when checked (product page). Its page says the part is a direct replacement for specified Robertshaw and Goodman-Amana models. That is an example of a particular part, not a universal furnace fit or installed service price.
What diagnosis should include
Ask the technician to document the call-for-heat sequence and the test that identified the igniter. A failed igniter may be open, cracked, or drawing the wrong current, but no ignition can also result from missing power or a control fault. The diagnosis should state whether the flame sensor, pressure switch, inducer, gas pressure, and venting were checked. Never bypass a safety switch or attempt to light a gas furnace outside the manufacturer’s procedure.
Read the quote line by line
| Line | Questions |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic/dispatch | Is the fee credited if repair is approved? |
| Igniter | Exact OEM or listed replacement model and voltage |
| Gasket and hardware | Included, or extra? |
| Labor | Removal, installation, and wiring included? |
| Safety test | Combustion, flame signal, and complete startup check? |
| Warranty | Parts and labor length, and return-trip terms? |
SupplyHouse lists multiple igniter shapes and voltages. A part that appears to fit can have a different mounting block, lead length, or insertion depth. Have the contractor match the furnace model and serial number. Ask for the old igniter’s part number on the invoice so another technician can identify it later.
Parts warranty is not a free visit
If the igniter is covered, ask who files the claim and what credit appears on the invoice. Labor, diagnosis, gasket, freight, and a second trip may remain chargeable. A quote that says “warranty igniter” without a labor balance is incomplete. If the furnace is old or has repeated ignition failures, ask for the age, heat-exchanger condition, and replacement option rather than approving repeated part swaps blindly. The existing furnace repair cost page is broad planning context only.
The decision tool is simple: approve a one-part repair when diagnosis is documented, the replacement is model-matched, the safety test is included, and the remaining warranty balance is clear. Get another opinion when the proposal cannot explain which ignition component failed or recommends bypassing a safety control.
Sources and limits
ENERGY STAR supports the combustion and heat-exchanger safety checks. SupplyHouse supports one dated product-only price and model-specific compatibility language. Local diagnostic and installed prices are not generalized.
Related Articles
Furnace blower motor replacement: motor types and warranty coverage
Compare furnace blower motor proposals by PSC or ECM type, programmed controls, airflow setup, and warranty coverage. A part-only listing cannot be compared with a tested installed repair.
Heat pump cold-weather sizing: comparing bids using load calculations
Compare cold-climate heat-pump bids by design load, low-temperature capacity, backup strategy, and duct or electrical scope. A tonnage guess is not a sizing method.
HVAC Replacement Cost: Equipment Selection and Installation Scope
Compare HVAC replacement costs as a complete system: equipment selection, installation, supporting work, and operating assumptions behind the proposal.
AC capacitor replacement: diagnosis, parts, and service fees
Use the service quote to separate diagnosis, the correctly rated capacitor, and safe installation. This guide shows what a defensible quote should identify and how a parts price differs from installed work.