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 ignored part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services 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 Hudsonville, Michigan, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and How Long Does It Last?

To start, it's important to learn what a furnace gas valve is and what it does. 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 make heat. If gas isn't flowing, 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 dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price varies depending on the model 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 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, homeowners also notice 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 damaged sensor, a problem 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 professionally diagnose whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One serious sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—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 contact West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could cause your furnace to turn off to avoid causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to seek out a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you believe your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly 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. Besides, 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 it. 

Call West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Hudsonville, Michigan, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Hudsonville, Michigan, HVAC company—West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services. Our trained technicians know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system is running at peak performance. 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 old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 616-971-6428 today for gas valve replacement services from West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services.