Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Ameri-Tec will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Narvon, Pennsylvania, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Ameri-Tec.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and What Does It Do?

First, 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and make 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 supposed to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Though replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs it could be time 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 won’t start up. 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 issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you notice these signs, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll accurately assess 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 coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can create a 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 reach out to Ameri-Tec for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of going through its full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could force your furnace to turn off to prevent causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to call a licensed furnace specialist for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you believe your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also has the potential to 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 comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Ameri-Tec to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Narvon, Pennsylvania, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Narvon, Pennsylvania, HVAC company—Ameri-Tec. Our HVAC experts know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, handle the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your furnace is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 717-844-9228 today for gas valve replacement services from Ameri-Tec.