My Rheem gas furnace tries to come on but does not. Checked the burners and they are not being ignited. What is the problem?

If this has a standing pilot and that's lit. I would say the thermocouple is bad on it. The standing pilot keeps that hot as a safety device and tells the gas valve there is flame so when the valve opened it will ignite and not let unlit gas escape into the room

Is this electric start with no pilot light?

If this has a standing pilot and thats lit. I would say the thermocouple is bad on it. The standing pilot keeps that hot as a safety device and tells the gas valve there is flame so when the valve opened it will ignite and not let unlit gas escape into the room

Is this electric start with no pilot light?

Yes, no pilot light.

My Rheem story ...

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When our Rheem (Criterion model, circa 1994) gas furnace was just blowing air, we called for a service person.

Within five minutes he found the problem.

A cracked HOT SURFACE IGNITOR.

I was told that this part does not last forever.

The igniter looks like a 2 inch tall element (similar to what is inside an incandescent light bulb but flat, like a large paperclip) mounted on a square base that is attached to 6 inches of wrapped wires that ends in a two prong male plug.

Here is what a Rheem hot surface igniter looks like:

The LEFT one is good.

The RIGHT one is bad.

http://www.myhvacparts.com/images/goodnbadignitor.jpg

Hot surface igniters are very delicate and the igniter part should not be touched by human hands because the oil on our hands will damage the surface (just like a halogen bulb).

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Here is the write up …

• Service call on a Rheem 80+ furnace.

• Found cracked hot surface igniter.

• Replaced igniter and cleaned fame sensor.

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$079.95 = service call
$040.00 = ½ hour labor at $80.00 / hour
$065.00 = hot surface igniter

$184.95 = total

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Terence in Brook Park, oHIo