Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often ignored part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Iowa City, Iowa, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and How Long Does It Last?

To begin, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas flow is blocked, 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 10–20 years. Although replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the indications 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 what fuels the burner. Without enough gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, homeowners also notice 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 issues, such as a damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to a certified HVAC technician for an inspection. They'll safely determine whether the problem a thermocouple vs gas valve issue, or if there's another reason the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could trigger your furnace to stop to avoid causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to call a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you suspect your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also may void your warranty and gas valve coverage. Whether the gas valve is stuck open, closed or malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Iowa City, Iowa, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Iowa City, Iowa, HVAC company—Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning. 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 furnace is running smoothly. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 319-337-3520 today for gas valve replacement services from Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning.