Furnace Not Igniting? Causes & Fixes | BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning
If your furnace isn’t igniting, you’re not alone — it’s one of the calls we get most often across Greater Vancouver. Here are the usual causes and a few safe things to check before you book a technician.
Common causes
- A dirty or failed flame sensor (most common)
- A faulty igniter
- Closed/blocked gas supply
- A tripped high-limit switch from a clogged filter
- A thermostat or control-board issue
Safe checks you can do
- Check the thermostat is set to HEAT and above room temp
- Replace a dirty furnace filter
- Confirm the gas is on and the furnace switch is on
- Reset the breaker once
Safety first: never attempt gas or electrical repairs yourself. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas utility’s emergency line. For anything beyond the basic checks above, our TSBC-licensed technicians will diagnose it quickly.
For fast diagnosis and repair across Greater Vancouver, call BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning at 604-473-9690 or email info@bcwide.ca. TSBC-licensed (LGA0090068), serving the Lower Mainland since 1999.
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Frequently asked questions
How often should a furnace be serviced?
Annual servicing is recommended for gas furnaces, ideally before the start of the heating season in September or October. Service includes burner cleaning, heat exchanger inspection, ignition check, blower motor cleaning, gas pressure adjustment and a full safety test for carbon-monoxide leaks.
How long does a furnace last in Vancouver's climate?
High-efficiency gas furnaces typically last 15–20 years with annual maintenance. Vancouver's mild climate means lower run-times than colder Canadian cities, which extends life — but salt-air corrosion near the coast and high humidity can shorten it.
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
Common causes are a thermostat set to "on" instead of "auto", a tripped flame sensor, a clogged condensate drain shutting down a high-efficiency unit, low gas pressure, or a failed ignitor. Most are repairable in a single service visit.
How much does a new furnace cost in Vancouver?
A typical residential high-efficiency gas furnace in Metro Vancouver costs $4,500–$8,500 installed depending on size, brand and venting requirements. Variable-speed and modulating models are at the upper end.
What is the most reliable furnace brand?
In our experience servicing Vancouver homes since 1999, Carrier, Lennox, Bryant and York have produced the most reliable mid-to-high-efficiency furnaces with the best parts availability. Goodman and Rheem offer strong value at lower price points.
What HVAC services does BC Wide offer in Metro Vancouver?
BC Wide installs, services and repairs boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, hot water tanks, tankless water heaters, gas fireplaces and air conditioning across Metro Vancouver. We work on residential homes, townhouses, condos with strata systems, and small commercial buildings.
How long has BC Wide been in business?
BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving the Greater Vancouver area since 1999. Our TSBC-licensed technicians have built a reputation as some of the most experienced furnace, boiler and heat-pump specialists in the Lower Mainland.
What areas do you serve?
We cover all of Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, White Rock, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge.
What Greater Vancouver homeowners say about BC Wide
Verified Google reviews — 4.7 average across 181+ ratings
★★★★★
"Alan and Mo were amazing today. They seamlessly replaced our furnace and tankless hot water tank in record time."
Google review · Aug 2026
★★★★★
"Alan and his colleague are very friendly and professional. They installed everything and left it clean."
Google review · Aug 2026
★★★★★
"I have been using BC Wide HVAC Services for over five years for my annual maintenance."
Google review · Aug 2026
★★★★★
"Excellent service from start to finish! B.C. Wide is knowledgeable, very professional and showed up on time! I highly recommend this company."
Google review · Aug 2026
★★★★★
"I found these guys on Google. I just moved into a place where no maintenance has been done in the last 6 years."
Google review · Aug 2026
★★★★★
"Heat pump, furnace and tankless water heater installed. Competitive price. Careful, friendly, competent, efficient installation team. Professional appearing installation. Good company, highly recommended."
Google review · Jul 2026
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