Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Custom Air Systems Inc will highlight the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Port St. Lucie, Florida, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Custom Air Systems Inc.

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

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. 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 can't flow, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price varies depending on the kind of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Furnace Not Igniting

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 provides fuel for the flame. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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, an issue with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you notice these signs, it's important to call 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 serious sign of a broken 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 lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Custom Air Systems Inc for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps 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 produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could trigger your furnace to power off to prevent causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to seek out a licensed furnace specialist for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do When 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 prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Custom Air Systems Inc to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Port St. Lucie, Florida, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Port St. Lucie, Florida, HVAC company—Custom Air Systems Inc. Our trained technicians know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system 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 outdated heating system.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 772-677-8981 today for gas valve replacement services from Custom Air Systems Inc.