Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.
In this blog, Northern Comfort Inc will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or thinking proactively, this guide for Mankato, Minnesota, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Northern Comfort Inc.
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 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 generate heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.
Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Although replacement price depends on the kind of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.
The Furnace Won't Light
One of the indications 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 the energy source for combustion. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 can sometimes be symptoms of other mechanical breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you are dealing with these issues, 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 your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.
Furnace Smells Like Gas
One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Northern Comfort Inc for emergency furnace repair.
Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping
Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace turns off and on frequently rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve issue also could force your furnace to shut down to avoid causing a gas leak.
At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to seek out a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair.
What to Do When 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, turn off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also might 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 task for someone without specialized tools and training. In addition, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it.
Call Northern Comfort Inc to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Mankato, Minnesota, Winter
To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Mankato, Minnesota, HVAC company—Northern Comfort Inc. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your heating equipment is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.
Don’t put your home at risk. Call 507-387-6596 today for gas valve replacement services from Northern Comfort Inc.
