Knowing 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 under appreciated part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Siloam Springs Heating & AC will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Siloam Springs, Arkansas, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Siloam Springs Heating & AC.

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 does. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price varies depending on the model of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the signs 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, 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 breakdowns, such as a damaged sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll safely determine whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't light.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. 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 phone Siloam Springs Heating & AC for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could force your furnace to power off to prevent creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to call a qualified heating expert 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 isn’t working properly, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.

First, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly 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 work isn’t a DIY job. 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 fixing the broken one. 

Call Siloam Springs Heating & AC to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Siloam Springs, Arkansas, HVAC company—Siloam Springs Heating & AC. Our HVAC experts 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 pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 479-448-2261 today for gas valve replacement services from Siloam Springs Heating & AC.