Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, James Heating & A/C, Inc will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Lexington, North Carolina, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at James Heating & A/C, Inc.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and How Long Does It Last?

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. 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 generate heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. While replacement price varies depending on the model of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 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 breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you experience these problems, it's important to call 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.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One clear sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to James Heating & A/C, Inc for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is 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 produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could trigger your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to seek out a licensed furnace specialist for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you think your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve without a professional. 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 isn't working for another reason—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call James Heating & A/C, Inc to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Lexington, North Carolina, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Lexington, North Carolina, HVAC company—James Heating & A/C, Inc. Our HVAC experts know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your system is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even connect 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 336-853-6070 today for gas valve replacement services from James Heating & A/C, Inc.