Modern furnaces are complex machines with various components and parts linked to its brain, the furnace control board. Making furnace control boards a very essential component in every furnace.

1. All You Need To Know About Furnace Control
Boards
Modern furnaces are complex machines with various components and parts linked to its brain,
the furnace control board. Like human brains, it controls EVERYTHING your furnace does.
Making furnace control boards a very essential component in every furnace.
It controls and operates all key functions, in the order they occur in a heating cycle, for your
furnace to perform and deliver its purpose.
Types of Control Boards
Simple Ignition Control Board Module
This type of control board is commonly used in older models together with a fan control board.
It controls the gas valve, the spark generator or hot surface ignitor, and the flame sensing
circuit.
Integrated Furnace Control Board
This type is what is generally used in modern furnaces. It is the combination of both the simple
ignition control board and the fan control board. It works like the simple ignition control board
but it has extended features like onboard diagnostics and furnace blower control in both the
air conditioning and heating modes.
Sequence of Operation
● The heating cycle begins when the thermostat calls for heat
● The control board sends a signal to the draft inducer motor to start.

2. ● The pressure switch senses a drop in pressure caused by the draft inducer motor and
closes to complete a circuit. It also ensures the furnace’s exhaust is removed to the
outdoors before the burners are ignited.
● The hot surface igniter then receives a signal and begins to light and heat up.
● After a few seconds, the gas valve receives a signal which then clicks and releases
gas to the burners.
● The burners then ignite as gas is released.
● The flame sensorsenses the flame and sends a signal to the control board that a flame
exists. The control board then allows the gas to continue to flow to the burners, heating
up the furnace.
*If no flame is sensed, the control board signals to turn off the gas valve and shuts
down the furnace to prevent a gas explosion
● The rollout switches checks for irregular or oversized flames, and flames outside the
burner area and sends a signal to the control board for it to shut the furnace down
● The limit switch then sends a signal to the control board that the furnace is warm
enough to turn the blower fan on.
*If the furnace is getting too hot, a signal is sent to the control board to shut the burners
and the furnace off.
● If all is in place, the blower motor then turns on, moving air through the furnace,
removing heat and sending it into the house.
● Oncethe desired indoor temperature is achieved, the thermostattells the control board
and it sends a signal to shut off the gas burners, the draft inducer motor, and the blower
fan motor.
Control Board For Troubleshooting
Furnace control boards do not only help in your furnace’s operation and heating cycle. It also
assists in problem diagnostics. It has LED lights, that are usually visible through a tiny window
on the furnace door, that flash in codes to indicate a problem.
The flashing lights will show the number of blinks between pauses which corresponds to a
particular problem as shown in a chart located on the inside of the panel lid. The chart looks
like this:

3. Signs of a Failing Control Board
Since furnace control boards are complex electronic devices, it is common for them to fail and
be replaced. Here are some common signs that your control board is failing:
Too Hot or Too Cold Temperature
A faulty control board can send late or early signals which can result in some components to
work too long or stop working too soon, hence a too cold or hot indoor temperature that what
is set in the thermostat.
Irregular Heating Cycle Sequence
With a faulty control board, there might be some irregularities on the operation on the heating
cycle. Be keen in observing if some components involved like the draft inducer motor, gas
valve or burners stop suddenly or continues to work which is different from the proper heating
cycle sequence.
LED Light Diagnostic
As mentioned above, LED lights on the control board indicate when there is a problem and
what the problem is. A board or wiring problem will also be indicated there.
Control Board Replacement
Once you have identified a damaged furnace control board, it must be dealt with immediately
to not put your furnace’s operation in jeopardy.

4. The first thing you have to do is to find a proper replacement which you can do by finding the
manufacturer’s part number or the furnace model and serial number.
The price of a new furnace control board from ACEHVAPARTS starts from $50 and may range
up to $250 depending on your furnace model. However, the average cost for an HVAC
technician to install it is $400-$600 dollars.
Furnace control board replacement does not take a lot of skill so if you choose to do the
replacement yourself, here is a quick replacement guide you can easily do:
● First, make sure to turn off the furnace off.
● Take note all the connections and mark where each wire goes on the old board. You
can also take a picture with your phone as a reference.
● Then, remove the wires, screws or plastic clips and the board.
● Attach the new board with the screws or snap it in with the plastic clips.
● Carefully reconnect the wires, noting its correct placements, to the proper terminals.
Check the wiring from the photo taken.
● Run the unit and verify that the heating cycle sequence is properly done.
If you are not comfortable doing the abovementioned steps, do not hesitate to call a
professional HVAC technician to help you out.
Should you need a new furnace control board, furnace parts, accessories,and supplies, check
out www.acehvacparts.com and use this coupon code IQK5657F6I to get $5.00 off your order
total! Also, if you are having problems figuring out which control board is right for your furnace,
do not hesitate to contact us.