Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often ignored part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Air Current AC & Heat will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Houston, Texas, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Air Current AC & Heat.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To begin, it's important to learn 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 produce heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered 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. Although replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $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 enough 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 a pressure drop in the gas line. If you are dealing with these issues, 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.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your home. 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, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Air Current AC & Heat for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace turns off and on frequently instead of running a full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could force your furnace to stop to prevent causing a gas leak.

That said, 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 think your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also might 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 DIY job. Plus, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Air Current AC & Heat to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Houston, Texas, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Houston, Texas, HVAC company—Air Current AC & Heat. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system 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 old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 713-257-9226 today for gas valve replacement services from Air Current AC & Heat.