Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Central Heating & Plumbing will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for New Castle, Pennsylvania, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Central Heating & Plumbing.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To start, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Although replacement price varies depending on the model of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the indications you may need to replace your furnace gas valve is if the furnace is not igniting or if the pilot light won't light. Gas is the energy source for combustion. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Occasionally, homeowners also report that the igniter clicks but there's no flame.

However, a furnace not igniting or a pilot light that won't light or stay lit might also indicate  other mechanical issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, it's important to call a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll professionally diagnose whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Central Heating & Plumbing for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace runs in short bursts rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could cause your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to reach out to a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you think your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or isn't working for another reason—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. In addition, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Central Heating & Plumbing to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the New Castle, Pennsylvania, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional New Castle, Pennsylvania, HVAC company—Central Heating & Plumbing. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your heating equipment is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 724-530-3753 today for gas valve replacement services from Central Heating & Plumbing.