Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. 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 Air LLC will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Brookfield, Connecticut, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Central Air LLC.

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

To begin, 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Though replacement price depends on the model of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 what fuels the burner. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, homeowners also hear 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 damaged sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. 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 your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—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 Central Air LLC for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could force your furnace to shut down to avoid creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to seek out a licensed furnace specialist for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you think your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also has the potential to 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 weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Central Air LLC to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Brookfield, Connecticut, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Brookfield, Connecticut, HVAC company—Central Air LLC. Our experienced professionals know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your heating equipment is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 203-403-6174 today for gas valve replacement services from Central Air LLC.