Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc. will share the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Chester, Illinois, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc..

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

First, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it does. The furnace gas valve manages the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas can't flow, 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. Though replacement price depends on the kind of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Furnace Not Igniting

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 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 insufficient fuel supply. If you notice these signs, it's important to contact a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll professionally diagnose 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 serious sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a gas smell 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 reach out to Korando Heating & Cooling, 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 runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could cause your furnace to stop to avoid creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to reach out to 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 important to act quickly and safely.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try 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 has some other issue—gas valve work isn’t a DIY job. In addition, 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 repairing it. 

Call Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc. to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Chester, Illinois, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Chester, Illinois, HVAC company—Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc.. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure 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 connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 618-826-2151 today for gas valve replacement services from Korando Heating & Cooling, Inc..