Furnace Ignitor Replacement Cost in Vancouver — Complete Guide
Published: July 20, 2026 — BC Wide Home Services Ltd, doing business as BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning — Greater Vancouver, BC
Signs Your Furnace Ignitor Is Failing
The furnace ignitor is the component that heats up to ignite the gas when the thermostat calls for heat. Common signs of a failing ignitor include: you hear the gas valve click open but the burners do not ignite (the ignitor is not reaching the temperature needed for ignition); the furnace goes through 2-3 ignition attempts before locking out with an error code; you can see the ignitor glowing but the glow is dim or uneven — a healthy ignitor glows bright orange to white-hot; the ignitor glows but the flame does not catch, or catches only on one burner instead of all burners; the furnace lights but the ignitor remains on longer than normal — indicating the flame sensor is struggling to detect the flame. A failed ignitor means no heat — call for service promptly.
Ignitor Replacement Costs
Furnace ignitor replacement in Vancouver costs $200-450 for a service call with replacement. The ignitor part itself costs $20-80 depending on the type and brand. Silicon nitride ignitors are more expensive ($40-80) but more durable than silicon carbide ignitors ($20-40). The labour charge reflects the service call, diagnostic time, and the 15-30 minutes needed for the replacement. Some contractors charge a flat rate for ignitor replacement ($250-350). Emergency after-hours ignitor replacement costs $350-550. If you are comfortable with DIY and your furnace model has an accessible ignitor, the part is affordable and the replacement is straightforward — but ensure you handle the fragile ignitor carefully (even a small crack can cause failure) and turn off power to the furnace before touching any components.
Why Ignitors Fail and How to Extend Life
Most ignitor failures are caused by thermal stress — the repeated heating and cooling cycles cause the ceramic material to develop micro-cracks that eventually cause failure. Other causes include: physical damage from improper handling during filter changes or cleaning; gas pressure that is too high, causing the flame to impinge on the ignitor; a cracked heat exchanger that causes flame roll-out to overheat the ignitor; and voltage surges that damage the ignitor's internal resistance. To extend ignitor life, replace air filters regularly (restricted airflow can cause overheating and delayed ignition cycles), ensure your furnace has a surge protector installed, and avoid touching the ignitor during DIY maintenance — the oil from your skin creates hot spots that can cause premature failure.
Repair or Replace the Furnace?
An ignitor failure alone is not a reason to replace the furnace — it is a routine maintenance item on any gas furnace. However, if your furnace is over 15 years old and has required multiple repairs in the past 2 years (ignitor, flame sensor, pressure switch, blower motor), the cumulative repair costs may exceed the value of the aging equipment. A single ignitor replacement on a 12-year-old furnace that has otherwise been reliable is a sensible repair. Track your repair history — if you find yourself calling for service twice or more per year, the furnace may be entering a cascade failure cycle and replacement planning should begin.