How to Know If a Furnace Gas Valve Is Bad or Malfunctioning

You rely on your furnace to provide comforting heat during the winter’s coldest stretches. However, if your heating system fails to do its job, a faulty gas valve may be to blame. A malfunctioning gas valve is not only an inconvenience, but if left untreated, it can pose dangers to you and your family.

This guide uncovers how to know if the furnace gas valve is bad. If this issue affects your heating system, turn to Elgin’s reliable furnace repair experts at Leith Heating & Cooling. Our qualified HVAC technicians can repair your gas valve and restore heat to your home. 

You Receive No Heat

Perhaps the most obvious sign that you have some sort of furnace issue is a total lack of heat. Your furnace’s gas valve plays an essential role in the combustion process. If it doesn’t emit enough, or any, gas into the combustion changer, the subsequent transfer of heat will not occur. 

Without gas to fuel the heat source, your furnace will resort to blowing room-temperature air into your vents. This is never ideal when you need to heat your home, particularly in the midst of bitter-cold Illinois winter weather.  

It’s important to note that a bad gas valve is just one of many reasons why your furnace may not generate heat, but let a licensed heating technician inspect the system to determine if your valve is the culprit. They possess the skills and experience to diagnose a faulty furnace gas valve and issue the appropriate repairs. 

There Is Constant Furnace Cycling

You may hear your furnace constantly running but it never manages to properly heat your home. When your thermostat is set to a certain temperature, your furnace receives the signal to heat the home until it reaches that temperate. Failure to achieve your desired temperature is known as furnace cycling. 

This issue is prevalent when your gas valve doesn’t give a sufficient flow of fuel to the furnace. It can lead to larger breakdowns within the system, such as the furnace’s blower motor overheating. If your furnace is cycling and not generating the heat you need, turn off its power to prevent further damage. 

Call an HVAC expert to assess the system. A heating technician will be able to tell you if the valve is stuck and repair it. They can also diagnose any additional damage the system incurred from constantly running through a failed heat cycle. 

Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sounds

A tell-tale way how to know if the furnace gas valve is bad is if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you smell gas. A gas valve that is not in good working condition can lead to a gas leak in your home, and this is the most dangerous indicator that you have a problem with the gas valve.  

The furnace can start leaking gas if it builds up anywhere other than the combustion chamber and releases into your air. This presents significant health and safety concerns for you and your family. If you smell natural gas or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately shut off the furnace, evacuate your home, and call an emergency repair technician. 

Do not attempt to fix your furnace’s gas valve in this scenario. You risk inhaling harmful substances, and home fires are more susceptible to sparking when there is a gas leak. Prioritize your safety and only let a trained technician deal with the problem. 

The Furnace Floods

If you notice water damage near your furnace, consider the impact it can have on the heating system. Even the slightest bit of water around the furnace can lead to issues with your flame sensor, gas valve, and other crucial components.

Pay attention to your furnace’s function if part of it gets submerged in water. Call a professional HVAC company to inspect your furnace and rule out a faulty gas valve or to identify any other possible system damage. A technician will likely recommend replacing impacted components as a safety precaution. 

How to Keep Gas Valves Functioning Safely

You now know how to tell if your furnace’s gas valve is bad, but how can you ensure that it works safely? Upgrading your heating system to the most energy-efficient model may help.

Common furnaces within homes are known as non-condensing units that fail to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency of 90%. A national heating goal is to have gas furnaces reach an annual fuel utilization efficiency of 95%. This change would help save homeowners money on energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and keep gas furnaces operating effectively. 

Another key way to keep gas valves functioning safely is to schedule routine maintenance for your heating system. Have a professional inspect the furnace and perform tune-up maintenance before each heating season. This ensures that your furnace operates as it should and allows you to fix potential issues before they snowball into costly repairs. 

How to Fix Faulty Furnace Gas Valves

Depending on the condition of the valve and the overall function of the furnace, heating experts can repair or replace it. The gas valve on your furnace plays a crucial part in heating your home, yet it can be tricky to repair without experience.

Never try to repair a faulty gas valve without the proper qualifications. Trained HVAC specialists understand the complexities of your heating system and how each mechanism works to heat your home. They can recognize problems with the overall system that an inexperienced person wouldn’t understand. 

A licensed technician can safely address the problem using special equipment for only those in the trade. This winning combination can get your gas valve repaired the correct way. 

Reach Out to a Professional HVAC Company

When you need professional advice on how to know if a furnace gas valve is bad, turn to the experts at Leith Heating & Cooling. Our knowledgeable technicians can walk you through what to expect from furnace maintenance and complete any necessary repairs. Contact us at (847) 860-7092 to schedule a service appointment today. 

A gas valve problem is one of the most common reasons homeowners and business call us for furnace repairs. The gas from your supply tank must pass through the valve to reach the rest of the furnace, and once there is a problem with the gas valve, you’ll notice it quickly.

If you suspect gas valve trouble, it’s best to check it out as soon as possible. As West Hartford’s furnace repair experts, we know all the signs. The SM Mechanical Services, LLC, team will look at the top three signs your furnace gas valve is bad.

1. Gas Leak

A bad gas valve can cause gas to leak into your basement or attic (depending on where you have the furnace). In this scenario, your property is at risk. If the gas spreads long enough, any spark in the house can cause a fire and a strong explosion.

Inhaling gas for too long can cause various health problems, including breathing difficulties. Therefore, if you perceive the rotten egg smell of gas at any point, open the windows and doors to let in fresh air. Next, call in an HVAC team to evaluate the gas valve.

2. Furnace Ignition Lockout

If your furnace valve is not working, the furnace may shut down completely and stop responding. If your furnace suddenly stops working, a faulty gas valve is one of the possible causes. The only way to know for sure is to request a professional inspection.

3. Warm Air Delivery Failure

A furnace can turn on without delivering warm air for many reasons, and a bad gas valve is one of them. Without a steady gas supply, the combustion process will fail. Thus, the furnace can’t generate heat for the blower fan to force through your vents.

The blower fan doesn’t need gas to work as it runs on electricity, so your furnace can stay turned on without doing its job.

Common Reasons for Gas Valve Failure

A gas valve can fail for several reasons, including the following:

• Age. Like other components, the gas valves in a furnace that has worked for too long will most likely break down at some point, requiring repair or replacement.

• A glitch in the circuitry. A furnace features complex systems that must work together. These include the gas valve, heat exchanger, and pressure switch. A glitch in any of the components will lead to gas valve problems, among other issues. A control board problem can also affect the pilot light. 

• Water leaks. If the gas valve is wet following a leak in its location, it will break down. In that scenario, other parts of the furnace may also fail.

Now that you’ve seen how to know if your furnace gas valve is bad, the next thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t allow the problem to linger. You may be tempted to go the DIY route, but it’s often counterproductive.

Reasons to Call a Professional HVAC Company to Repair Your Bad Gas Valve

Here are some reasons to hand over your gas valve problems to professionals:

Risk of Injury and Property Damage

Gas furnaces have both gas and electrical components. Handling these components can put you and everyone else nearby at risk. Apart from a gas leak, you can expose yourself to the risk of electric shocks. Thus, it’s in your best interest to avoid attempting to repair or test your gas valve.

Risk of More Serious Furnace Damage

You have to go through many steps when it comes to repairing or replacing a furnace, and you must know how the valve works and all the steps necessary to repair or fix the system. If you do the right things in the wrong order or miss a single step, you may end up causing additional damage to the furnace.

One common mistake we see among DIYers is using the wrong gas valve. The valves from different furnace models may look similar, but they are not always interchangeable.

Costly Equipment

HVAC contractors use specialty tools in gas valve testing and replacement. You most likely do not have these tools in your garage, and buying (or renting) them is not cost-effective. You probably won’t use them again for a long time.

A professional installation team already has all the tools they need, so you’ll only pay for their time. Most importantly, they know how to use these tools while you’ll spend significant time learning how to use them. Waiting two to three days as you learn how to fix or replace the valve is dangerous, and the job will only take a professional a few minutes.

Risk of Breaking the Law

DIY replacement may be illegal in your area. Due to the risk of a gas leak causing an explosion, some areas have rules against DIY gas valve testing and replacement. The rules are there to protect both you and your neighbors.

Risk of Voiding Your Furnace Warranty

Most furnace manufacturers have rules against DIY repairs. Repairing or replacing your furnace valves will most likely void your warranty. If your furnace is still under warranty, you must contact an HVAC company for repair or replacement to avoid losing the coverage.

Schedule a Repair with the Local HVAC Experts Near You

If you have a bad gas valve, hand the job over to licensed and qualified professionals. It will save you time, money, and potentially serious headaches down the road. At SM Mechanical Services, LLC, we have the experience, knowledge, and tools for safe furnace repair.

We’ll also set up a maintenance plan for you to prevent a recurrence. The goal is to give you a heating system you can depend on throughout the winter without breakdowns. With proper maintenance, a furnace leaking water in the winter or one that doesn’t deliver enough warm air will not be a problem for you.

For more on how to know if your furnace gas valve is bad or to request an immediate inspection of your valves, call the SM Mechanical Services, LLC, team in Glastonbury, CT, at (860) 530-2632 today.