Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is an essential 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 can’t function.

In this blog, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating will share the key signs of a malfunctioning gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Pella, Iowa, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating.

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

To start, it's important to learn 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, enabling 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 beneficial safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially life-threatening gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. While replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and whether any other service is required, 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 proper 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you experience these problems, it's important to reach out to 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 broken furnace gas valve is a strong odor of gas in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance problem—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can create 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 reach out to Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts rather than turning on and continuing through its cycle as usual. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can produce inconsistent gas flow. The valve failure also could cause your furnace to stop to prevent creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, so it's important to reach out to a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you think your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s crucial that you take action immediately.

First, shut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t attempt 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 work isn’t a DIY job. Besides, 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 Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Pella, Iowa, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Pella, Iowa, HVAC company—Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, handle 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 provide furnace installation service to help you replace your aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 641-628-3621 today for gas valve replacement services from Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating.