Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital 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 simply won’t work.

In this blog, Just Right Heating and Cooling will highlight the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Goshen, Ohio, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Just Right Heating and Cooling.

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

To start, it's important to learn 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, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. While replacement price varies depending on the model of furnace and whether any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs it could be time 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 won’t start up. Sometimes, homeowners also report 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 can sometimes be symptoms of  other mechanical breakdowns, 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 call 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then reach out to Just Right Heating and Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace turns off and on frequently instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could trigger your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

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

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

If you think your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to repair the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also may 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 good do-it-yourself task. Plus, 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 Just Right Heating and Cooling to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Goshen, Ohio, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Goshen, Ohio, HVAC company—Just Right Heating and Cooling. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your system is running at peak performance. 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 513-935-3804 today for gas valve replacement services from Just Right Heating and Cooling.