Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Polar Air & Mechanical 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 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Polar Air & Mechanical.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To begin, it's important to learn what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. 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 generate heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. While replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and if any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

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 won’t start up. 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 issues, such as a damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you notice these signs, it's important to reach out to 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 broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Polar Air & Mechanical for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

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 is because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could force your furnace to shut down to prevent causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to seek out a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you believe your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly 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. In addition, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Polar Air & Mechanical to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, HVAC company—Polar Air & Mechanical. Our trained technicians 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 connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 843-484-3783 today for gas valve replacement services from Polar Air & Mechanical.