Understanding 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—however, without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Prestige Plumbing and Air will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Cape Girardeau, Missouri, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Prestige Plumbing and Air.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and How Long Does It Last?

First, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it does. 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 key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Although replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Furnace Not Igniting

One of the indications 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 adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, 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 breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you experience these problems, it's important to call 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One serious sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. 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 phone Prestige Plumbing and Air for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could trigger your furnace to power off to prevent causing a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to reach out to 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 has malfunctioned, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, turn off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to repair 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. Plus, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Prestige Plumbing and Air to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Cape Girardeau, Missouri, HVAC company—Prestige Plumbing and Air. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your heating equipment is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 573-266-2048 today for gas valve replacement services from Prestige Plumbing and Air.