Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical 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 simply won’t work.

In this blog, Tri City Fuel & Heating will break down the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or planning ahead, this guide for West Columbia, South Carolina, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Tri City Fuel & Heating.

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 controls. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Though replacement price depends on the type of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $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 provides fuel for the flame. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, 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 faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. 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 contact Tri City Fuel & Heating 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 going through its full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could force your furnace to shut down to prevent causing a gas leak.

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

What to Do When 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, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then turn off your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right 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 task for someone without specialized tools and training. 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 repairing it. 

Call Tri City Fuel & Heating to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the West Columbia, South Carolina, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional West Columbia, South Carolina, HVAC company—Tri City Fuel & Heating. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your heating equipment is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 803-592-9776 today for gas valve replacement services from Tri City Fuel & Heating.