Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home safe, cozy and energy smart. The gas valve is an often overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, McFadden Heating & Cooling will highlight the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Dresden, Ontario, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at McFadden Heating & Cooling.

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 manages the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered 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 depends on the type of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 can sometimes be symptoms of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you notice these signs, it's important to call 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can create 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 McFadden 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 turns off and on frequently instead of going through its full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could trigger your furnace to shut down to avoid creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to call 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 critical to take the situation seriously.

First, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also might void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or isn't working for another reason—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it. 

Call McFadden Heating & Cooling to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Dresden, Ontario, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Dresden, Ontario, HVAC company—McFadden Heating & Cooling. Our trained technicians know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, 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 aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 519-683-2339 today for gas valve replacement services from McFadden Heating & Cooling.