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

In this blog, Age Heating & Cooling will break down the key signs of a bad gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or planning ahead, this guide for Sandpoint, Idaho, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Age Heating & Cooling.

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

To start, 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, allowing the combustion process to occur and make heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace won't give off any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is designed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Though replacement price depends on the model of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

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 what fuels the burner. Without enough gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 damaged sensor, an issue with 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 professionally diagnose 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 serious sign of a malfunctioning furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Age 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 may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to stop to prevent creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert 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, cut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to fix the valve on your own. 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 work isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. In addition, 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 fixing it. 

Call Age Heating & Cooling to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Sandpoint, Idaho, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Sandpoint, Idaho, HVAC company—Age Heating & Cooling. Our experienced professionals know exactly 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 system is running efficiently again. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 208-603-2210 today for gas valve replacement services from Age Heating & Cooling.