Understanding 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 ignored part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Heartland Heating & Cooling will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Grimes, Iowa, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Heartland Heating & Cooling.

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

First, it's important to know 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Although replacement price varies depending on the kind of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the clues you may need to replace your furnace gas valve is if the furnace is not igniting or if the pilot light won't light. Gas is the energy source for combustion. Without proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, homeowners also hear 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a bad flame sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, it's important to contact a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll accurately assess whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason your furnace won't light.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One major sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Heartland Heating & Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace turns off and on frequently instead of going through its full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to stop to avoid creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to seek out a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you suspect your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also has the potential to 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 task for someone without specialized tools and training. Besides, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it. 

Call Heartland Heating & Cooling to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Grimes, Iowa, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Grimes, Iowa, HVAC company—Heartland Heating & Cooling. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 515-800-9344 today for gas valve replacement services from Heartland Heating & Cooling.