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

In this blog, Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning will break down the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or planning ahead, this guide for Arlington, Washington, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning.

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 produce heat. If gas can't flow, a gas-powered furnace is unable to warm your home.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to cut off gas flow in the event of a mechanical issue—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and if any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

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 provides fuel for the flame. Without proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Occasionally, homeowners also hear 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 faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you notice these signs, 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major 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 potentially deadly hazard. 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 Service Max 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 turns off and on frequently instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could cause your furnace to power off to avoid creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to call a licensed furnace specialist 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 important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to repair the valve without a professional. 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 deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing it. 

Call Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Arlington, Washington, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Arlington, Washington, HVAC company—Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. 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 heating equipment is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 360-939-9033 today for gas valve replacement services from Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning.