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 ignored part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Paniccia Heating & Cooling will highlight the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or thinking proactively, this guide for Michigan City, Indiana, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Paniccia Heating & Cooling.

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

To start, it's important to understand 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, 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 shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price depends on the model of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 might also indicate  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to 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 clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can create 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 phone Paniccia Heating & Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of going through its full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could force your furnace to shut down to prevent causing a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to call a licensed furnace specialist for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do If You Think Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you think your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, 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 attempt to repair the valve on your own. 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 malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. 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 repairing it. 

Call Paniccia Heating & Cooling to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Michigan City, Indiana, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Michigan City, Indiana, HVAC company—Paniccia Heating & Cooling. 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 furnace is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 219-872-2198 today for gas valve replacement services from Paniccia Heating & Cooling.