Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace can’t function.
In this blog, ACS Heating and Air Conditioning will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Tucker, Georgia, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at ACS Heating and Air Conditioning.
What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?
First, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve manages the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.
Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price depends on the kind of furnace and if any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $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 enough gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, 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 breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll safely determine whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.
Gas Smell Coming from Furnace
One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then contact ACS Heating and Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.
Furnace is Short Cycling
Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could trigger your furnace to shut down to avoid creating a gas leak.
At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair.
What to Do If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?
If you believe your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.
First, turn off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also could void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. In addition, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it.
Call ACS Heating and Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Tucker, Georgia, Cold
To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Tucker, Georgia, HVAC company—ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. Our HVAC experts know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, 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 provide furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.
Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 770-824-3170 today for gas valve replacement services from ACS Heating and Air Conditioning.
