Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Connolly Electric & Mechanical will share the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Cottonwood, Arizona, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Connolly Electric & Mechanical.

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 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 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 life-threatening gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. While replacement price depends on the type of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Furnace Not Igniting

One of the clues 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, homeowners also report 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 damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you notice these signs, 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 light.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Connolly Electric & Mechanical for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of going through its full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could cause your furnace to stop to avoid creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, 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 believe your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also could void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or has some other issue—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. In addition, 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 Connolly Electric & Mechanical to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Cottonwood, Arizona, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Cottonwood, Arizona, HVAC company—Connolly Electric & Mechanical. Our trained technicians 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 make sure your furnace is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 928-862-5977 today for gas valve replacement services from Connolly Electric & Mechanical.