Knowing 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 ignored part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC will highlight the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Smyrna, Delaware, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC.

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

To start, 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 make heat. If gas isn't flowing, 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 kind of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

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 won’t start up. 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you experience these problems, 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Fletcher Plumbing, 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 issue also could trigger your furnace to stop to avoid creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, 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 think your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also might void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a DIY job. In addition, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Smyrna, Delaware, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Smyrna, Delaware, HVAC company—Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC. Our trained technicians know just 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 heating equipment is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 302-653-0503 today for gas valve replacement services from Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC.