Understanding 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 overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc will share the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or planning ahead, this guide for Mobile, Alabama, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

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

To start, it's important to understand 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, enabling the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

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. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. While 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 between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, 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 might also indicate  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you notice these signs, it's important to contact 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.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One serious sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can cause a 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 Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

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 may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could force your furnace to power off to avoid creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to call a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do When 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, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to 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 might 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 DIY job. In addition, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Mobile, Alabama, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Mobile, Alabama, HVAC company—Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Our trained technicians know just 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 system is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 251-471-2674 today for gas valve replacement services from Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.