Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning will highlight 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 Chatsworth, Georgia, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To begin, it's important to learn what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price can change based on the model of furnace and if any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Furnace Not Igniting

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 provides fuel for the flame. Without enough 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 can sometimes be symptoms of  other mechanical issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you are dealing with these issues, 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 the furnace won't ignite.

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 concern—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then phone True Temp 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 runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could cause your furnace to power off to prevent creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to seek out 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 isn’t working properly, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.

First, turn off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt 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 work isn’t a DIY job. Plus, 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 fixing the broken one. 

Call True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Chatsworth, Georgia, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Chatsworth, Georgia, HVAC company—True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained technicians 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 aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 706-695-7492 today for gas valve replacement services from True Temp Heating & Air Conditioning.