Lennox EL296UHV Error Code E 229: Ignition on High Fire
What Does Code E 229 Mean?
Code E229 on the Lennox EL296UHV is an informational display indicating that the furnace ignited on high fire rather than the normal low-fire startup. This is not an error condition and the furnace is operating safely.
There are two situations where this occurs. First, if the low pressure switch fails to close at the normal inducer speed, the control board automatically switches to high-speed inducer operation to close both the low and high pressure switches, then lights the burners on high fire. This is a built-in fallback that keeps the furnace running when low-fire draft is insufficient. Second, if continuous fan mode is active, the furnace starts on high fire for the first 60 seconds to improve heat exchanger warm-up time before potentially stepping down.
While E229 itself does not require action, if it appears frequently because the low pressure switch is not closing at normal speed, that may indicate a developing vent restriction or inducer issue that a technician should investigate before it becomes a more serious problem.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a licensed HVAC technician if:
- E229 appears on every heating cycle, suggesting the low pressure switch consistently fails to close at normal speed
- Other error codes appear alongside E229, particularly E224 or E271
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026