Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling the operation of a gas valve in a gas heating system which includes thermostatic switch means and a source of AC voltage which are connected to form a series circuit with the gas valve is disclosed. The control apparatus comprises switch means which is connected to provide continuity in the series circuit upon receipt of a first control signal and to remove the continuity in the series circuit upon removal of the first control signal. Isolation means receives a second control signal having a high state and an alternate low state and generates the first control signal when receiving the high state of the second control signal. A power supply receives the AC voltage when the thermostatic switch means is closed and provides a DC voltage to a timer means. The timer means then generates the second control signal.