Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. will break down 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 Port Clinton, Ohio, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc..

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

To start, it's important to learn 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 make heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price depends on the type 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 signs 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 enough 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 might also indicate  other mechanical issues, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you notice these signs, it's important to reach out to 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 your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One clear sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your residence. 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 contact Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could force your furnace to power off to avoid creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to call a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you believe your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also may 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 good do-it-yourself task. In addition, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Port Clinton, Ohio, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Port Clinton, Ohio, HVAC company—Ohler & Holzhauer Inc.. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your furnace is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 419-732-2121 today for gas valve replacement services from Ohler & Holzhauer Inc..