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, America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning will break down the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Frederick, Maryland, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

To begin, it's important to learn 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, providing the fuel necessary for 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 designed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

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 what fuels the burner. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Sometimes, homeowners also notice 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical issues, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you notice these signs, it's important to call 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

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 concern—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could force your furnace to power off to prevent 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 believe your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, 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 it. 

Call America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Frederick, Maryland, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Frederick, Maryland, HVAC company—America's Green Heating & 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 ensure your heating equipment 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 old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 301-208-0800 today for gas valve replacement services from America's Green Heating & Air Conditioning.