Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.
In this blog, Western Mechanical, Inc. will share the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Logan, Utah, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Western Mechanical, Inc..
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 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 make heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.
Also a key 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. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Though replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.
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 what fuels the burner. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 also could be signs of other mechanical breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, a problem with 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 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 clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve 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 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 Western Mechanical, Inc. for emergency furnace repair.
Furnace is Short Cycling
Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could trigger your furnace to shut down to prevent causing a gas leak.
At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to call a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair.
What to Do If You Think Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?
If you suspect your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.
First, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then turn off your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly 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 it.
Call Western Mechanical, Inc. to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Logan, Utah, Winter
To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Logan, Utah, HVAC company—Western Mechanical, Inc.. Our experienced professionals know exactly 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 system is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even pair 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 435-753-5515 today for gas valve replacement services from Western Mechanical, Inc..