Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Ambience HVAC, Inc. will share the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Wilmington, Delaware, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Ambience HVAC, Inc..

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

To start, it's important to know 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, enabling the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas can't flow, 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. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Although replacement price depends on the model of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the clues 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 enough gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, 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 problem with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you are dealing with these issues, 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 light.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can lead to 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 Ambience HVAC, Inc. for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is 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. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to power 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 When Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

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

First, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right 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 work isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. Besides, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Ambience HVAC, Inc. to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Wilmington, Delaware, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Wilmington, Delaware, HVAC company—Ambience HVAC, Inc.. Our HVAC experts know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system is running efficiently again. 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 outdated heating system.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 302-239-HVAC (4822) today for gas valve replacement services from Ambience HVAC, Inc..