Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often ignored part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Spire Heating and Air Conditioning will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or planning ahead, this guide for Richardson, Texas, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Spire Heating and 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 manages the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and generate heat. If gas can't flow, 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 deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price depends on the model of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

Furnace Not Igniting

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 provides fuel for the flame. Without adequate 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 breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. 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 your furnace won't start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Gas Smell Coming from Furnace

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can lead to 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 reach out to Spire Heating and Air Conditioning for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This may be because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. The valve issue also could force your furnace to stop to avoid creating a gas leak.

That said, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to seek out a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

What to Do When 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, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve yourself. 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 has some other issue—gas valve repair isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. Besides, when it comes to comparing options between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Spire Heating and Air Conditioning to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Richardson, Texas, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Richardson, Texas, HVAC company—Spire Heating and Air Conditioning. Our trained technicians 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 furnace is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even pair your system with one of our smart thermostats or offer furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 214-550-0111 today for gas valve replacement services from Spire Heating and Air Conditioning.