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 overlooked part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Advanced Service AC & Heating will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Middletown, Maryland, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Advanced Service AC & Heating.

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 is responsible for. The furnace gas valve regulates 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 an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Although replacement price depends on the type of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the signs 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 the energy source for combustion. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, homeowners also hear 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to contact a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll accurately assess whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't light.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One serious sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Advanced Service AC & 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 running a full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could force your furnace to shut down to avoid creating a gas leak.

At the same time, 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 is broken, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve on your own. 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 has some other issue—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Plus, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Advanced Service AC & Heating to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Middletown, Maryland, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Middletown, Maryland, HVAC company—Advanced Service AC & Heating. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, handle 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 offer furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 301-371-8807 today for gas valve replacement services from Advanced Service AC & Heating.