Which technician is correct regarding the hot surface igniter issue?

The technician who believes that the igniter is not defective is correct because hot surface igniters are designed to have a specific operational lifespan and can sometimes fail due to other underlying issues within the heating system rather than inherent defects in the igniter itself.

In many cases, problems such as airflow restrictions, incorrect voltage supply, or other components malfunctioning in the system could cause an igniter to not function properly, even if the igniter itself is intact. Therefore, it’s critical to conduct a thorough diagnostic to determine whether an igniter issue arises from the igniter being defective or if it’s due toother factors impacting its performance.

Understanding this distinction is important because simply replacing an igniter without addressing potential root causes can lead to repeated failures and unnecessary costs. Proper diagnosis and understanding of the entire heating system's performance are essential for effective troubleshooting and repair processes.