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

In this blog, Stellitano Home Services will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Lambertville, New Jersey, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Stellitano Home Services.

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

To begin, 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and make 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 supposed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Although replacement price can change based 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.

Furnace Not Igniting

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 can't ignite. Occasionally, 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 issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, it's important to contact 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 your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Stellitano Home Services for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could force your furnace to stop to avoid causing a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, 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 believe your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right 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 work isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. 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 Stellitano Home Services to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Lambertville, New Jersey, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Lambertville, New Jersey, HVAC company—Stellitano Home Services. Our experienced professionals 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 furnace 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 compromise your safety or comfort. Call 609-483-2205 today for gas valve replacement services from Stellitano Home Services.