Understanding 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 ignored part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Air Service Co. will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or thinking proactively, this guide for Muldrow, Oklahoma, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Air Service Co..

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 is responsible for. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, providing the fuel necessary for 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 shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. While replacement price varies depending on the model of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 what fuels the burner. 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 can sometimes be symptoms of  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 safely determine 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.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a strong odor of gas coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Air Service Co. 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 might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could cause your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, 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 suspect your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.

First, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt 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 malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve repair 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 it. 

Call Air Service Co. to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Muldrow, Oklahoma, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Muldrow, Oklahoma, HVAC company—Air Service Co.. Our trained technicians know exactly 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 efficiently again. 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 outdated heating system.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 918-215-7608 today for gas valve replacement services from Air Service Co..