Knowing 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 under appreciated part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Antonelli Comfort Solutions will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Newport, North Carolina, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Antonelli Comfort Solutions.

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

To begin, 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 produce 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. Though replacement price can change based 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 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 provides fuel for the flame. Without enough gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, homeowners also report 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 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.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One serious sign of a gas valve problem is a gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an urgent safety risk. 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 reach out to Antonelli Comfort Solutions 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 going through its full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to stop to prevent creating 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 suspect your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve without a professional. 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 malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Plus, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Antonelli Comfort Solutions to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Newport, North Carolina, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Newport, North Carolina, HVAC company—Antonelli Comfort Solutions. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 252-424-6803 today for gas valve replacement services from Antonelli Comfort Solutions.