Component
Ignitor
The spark or glow source that lights the burner. On tankless units a failed igniter is one documented cause behind a no-ignition code; on tanks it appears on electronic controls without a standing pilot.
If you smell gas
- Stop what you are doing. Do not use phones, switches, matches or anything that can spark inside.
- Go outside and leave the door open behind you.
- Call the FortisBC 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 or dial 911.
Only after that, call CANRO about the water heater. Official guidance: FortisBC gas leaks and odour.
Ignition without a standing pilot
Electronic ignition lights the burner only when heat is called for, which is how power-vent and condensing equipment avoids the standing pilot's standby loss. The igniter creates the spark or glow, the gas opens, and the flame sensor confirms the result; Rinnai's RU manual lists checking that the igniter is operational among the checks for code 11 (no ignition).
An igniter that sparks but cannot light, or a unit that lights intermittently, usually has a second cause: gas supply, air in the line, or a flame-sensing problem, which is why the code checks run the whole chain rather than stopping at the igniter.
Testing and replacement
Igniter testing follows the manufacturer's electrical diagnostics, which are technician work on the live ignition circuit. Replacing an igniter without verifying gas delivery and flame sensing repeats the same no-ignition call the following week.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an igniter last?
There is no reliable calendar; igniters fail with use and age. The symptom is a no-ignition code or an audible spark that never lights the burner, confirmed by the manufacturer's diagnostics.
Can I watch the igniter spark?
The ignition circuit is live and the burner compartment is not a homeowner space; the diagnostics and replacement are technician work.
Request a consultation
CANRO reviews your hot-water demand, equipment and installation constraints. Requests are confirmed by CANRO.
On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.
Sources and verification
- CANRO Heating & Cooling — About · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Rinnai RU series Installation and Operation Manual (code 11 checks) · 100000467 · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.