What You Should Know About The Gas Valve In Your Furnace

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When it comes to your home's furnace, you may feel like you are looking at a car engine with many components that you do not understand. However, understanding how your furnace works is a great way to know how to troubleshoot problems and diagnose the need for repairs. Here is what you need to know about the furnace's gas valve.

Components

While a gas valve will often be referred to as one part, it is actually made up of several different components. There are thermocouples, actuators, and the pilot light. In addition, the furnace's gas valve uses several valves for it to operate. There is a valve that allows the gas to go into the furnace, a second valve that used for controlling the amount of gas going to the pilot light, and a third valve controlling the gas going into the furnace combustion chamber.

Operation

All components within your furnace gas valve must work in harmony for the combustion process to occur. Your pilot light gives off heat, which activates the thermocouple. This will then send a signal to the actuators, which tells the furnace to keep the gas valve open for the pilot. Essential, this means a lit pilot light allows gas to flow into the furnace.

Your furnace remains in this state until the thermostat tells it to start delivering heat to your home. An actuator will be signaled to open the valve that causes gas to flow into its combustion chamber. If combustion happens, another actuator says to keep the gas valve open. When the thermostat reaches the set temperature, it sends a signal to close the valve going to the combustion chamber.

Safety Measures

The furnace's gas valve has several safety mechanisms that prevent gas from leaking into your house. If the pilot light goes out, a thermocouple closes the valve that allows gas into the furnace. If combustion doesn't happen in the furnace's combustion chamber, an actuator sends a signal to shut off the gas, so it doesn't continue to flow into your house.

If you're experiencing a problem with any part of the furnace's gas valve, you should consider contacting a plumber to fix it for you. It's the best way to ensure that the system is working properly and keeping your home safe. You do not want to attempt a DIY repair, only to cause more damage in the process or cause the safety mechanisms to stop working.

For more information, contact your local heating service today.

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