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—however, without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating will break down the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Saint Louis, Missouri, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and What Does It Do?

First, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price can change based on the kind 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 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Sometimes, 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical issues, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, 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 Leak

One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating 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 failure also could trigger your furnace to shut down to prevent creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, 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 crucial that you take action immediately.

First, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then turn off 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 repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Plus, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Saint Louis, Missouri, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Saint Louis, Missouri, HVAC company—Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating. Our trained technicians know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and make sure 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 aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 314-310-0363 today for gas valve replacement services from Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating.