Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Titan Heating & Air Conditioning will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or planning ahead, this guide for Central Point, Oregon, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Titan Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

First, it's important to understand 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price varies depending on the kind of furnace and whether any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the clues 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 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 can sometimes be symptoms of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, an issue 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 start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Gas Leak

One major 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 cause 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 Titan Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could trigger your furnace to power off to avoid creating a gas leak.

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

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

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

First, cut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or isn't working for another reason—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 repairing it. 

Call Titan Heating & Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Central Point, Oregon, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Central Point, Oregon, HVAC company—Titan Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained technicians know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, 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 connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 541-243-7524 today for gas valve replacement services from Titan Heating & Air Conditioning.