Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often ignored part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, MPC Heating & Cooling will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Chadron, Nebraska, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at MPC Heating & Cooling.

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

To begin, it's important to understand 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, 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 supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 provides fuel for the flame. Without proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you notice these signs, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll accurately assess whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't light.

Gas Leak

One serious sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to MPC Heating & Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes 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. A valve failure also could trigger your furnace to power off to prevent creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert 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 crucial that you take action immediately.

First, turn 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 pose a safety risk and also has the potential to 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 good do-it-yourself task. Plus, 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 MPC Heating & Cooling to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Chadron, Nebraska, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Chadron, Nebraska, HVAC company—MPC Heating & Cooling. Our HVAC experts know exactly 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 pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 308-470-5613 today for gas valve replacement services from MPC Heating & Cooling.