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

In this blog, Refrigeration Systems Ltd. will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or planning ahead, this guide for Richmond, British Columbia, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Refrigeration Systems Ltd..

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and What Does It Do?

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve regulates 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 can't make any heat.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. Although replacement price can change based on the model of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 won’t start up. 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 bad flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. 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 light.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—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 contact Refrigeration Systems Ltd. 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 running a full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could cause your furnace to turn off to avoid creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to seek out a licensed furnace specialist 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, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt 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 work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. In addition, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Refrigeration Systems Ltd. to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Richmond, British Columbia, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Richmond, British Columbia, HVAC company—Refrigeration Systems Ltd.. Our trained technicians 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 system is running efficiently again. 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 delay critical repairs. Call 778-764-2026 today for gas valve replacement services from Refrigeration Systems Ltd..