Knowing 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 simply won’t work.

In this blog, Premium Air Services LLC will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Tomball, Texas, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Premium Air Services LLC.

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

To start, it's important to understand 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, enabling 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 designed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Though replacement price varies depending on the kind of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Furnace Not Igniting

One of the clues you may need 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 enough 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to 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 your furnace won't light.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Premium Air Services LLC for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace turns off and on frequently instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to power off to avoid causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to reach out to a professional HVAC technician 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, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or has some other issue—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Plus, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it. 

Call Premium Air Services LLC to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Tomball, Texas, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Tomball, Texas, HVAC company—Premium Air Services LLC. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your furnace is running smoothly. 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 old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 713-364-1078 today for gas valve replacement services from Premium Air Services LLC.