Knowing 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—however, without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or planning ahead, this guide for Johnston, Iowa, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, enabling the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Though replacement price depends on the kind of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs 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 adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, 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 faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you experience these problems, it's important to call 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 your furnace won't light.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a gas valve problem is a strong odor of gas in your home. 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, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace turns off and on frequently rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could force your furnace to turn off to avoid causing a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you think your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve without a professional. DIY gas valve repair can pose a safety risk 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 work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Besides, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it. 

Call Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Johnston, Iowa, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Johnston, Iowa, HVAC company— Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling. Our experienced professionals know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your furnace is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 515-278-2900 today for gas valve replacement services from Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling.