Knowing 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 under appreciated part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace won’t run properly.
In this blog, Mechanical Air Systems Co will break down the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Mason City, Iowa, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Mechanical Air Systems Co.
What is a Furnace Gas Valve and How Long Does It Last?
To start, it's important to learn what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.
Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price varies depending on the type of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.
The Furnace Won't Light
One of the signs 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 adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, 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 might also indicate other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, it's important to call 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 start or the pilot light won't stay lit.
Gas Smell Coming from Furnace
One clear sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Mechanical Air Systems Co for emergency furnace repair.
Furnace Keeps Short Cycling
Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could cause your furnace to stop to avoid 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 professional HVAC technician 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 crucial that you take action immediately.
First, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk and also might 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. In addition, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one.
Call Mechanical Air Systems Co to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Mason City, Iowa, Winter
To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Mason City, Iowa, HVAC company—Mechanical Air Systems Co. Our trained technicians know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your furnace is running at peak performance. 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 old, unsafe furnace.
Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 641-454-6572 today for gas valve replacement services from Mechanical Air Systems Co.