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 overlooked part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Marios Air Conditioning will share the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Thousand Palms, California, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Marios Air Conditioning.

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 controls. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and whether any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Furnace Not Igniting

One of the indications 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 what fuels the burner. Without enough gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. 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 might also indicate  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. 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 Leak

One clear sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Marios Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could force your furnace to power off to prevent creating a gas leak.

That said, 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 suspect your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also could 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 DIY job. In addition, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Marios Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Thousand Palms, California, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Thousand Palms, California, HVAC company—Marios Air Conditioning. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform 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 provide furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 760-766-2294 today for gas valve replacement services from Marios Air Conditioning.