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 simply won’t work.

In this blog, Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning will share the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Pflugerville, Texas, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

To begin, it's important to learn 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 generate heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Though replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and whether any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

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 is the energy source for combustion. Without enough 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 issues, such as a damaged sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Leak

One serious sign of a gas valve problem is a gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace turns off and on frequently instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could cause your furnace to stop to prevent causing a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to reach out to a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you suspect your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also has the potential to 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 task for someone without specialized tools and training. Besides, 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 fixing it. 

Call Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Pflugerville, Texas, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Pflugerville, Texas, HVAC company—Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained technicians know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your heating equipment is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even connect 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 512-337-4337 today for gas valve replacement services from Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning.