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 overlooked part of your heating system—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning will share the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re trying to diagnose a suspected problem or thinking proactively, this guide for Northglenn, Colorado, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

To start, it's important to know what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. 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 is unable to warm your home.

Also an important safety feature, the furnace gas valve is engineered to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about a decade or two. Although replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and whether any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of roughly $300–800.

The Furnace Won't Light

One of the indications 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 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical breakdowns, such as a damaged sensor, a malfunction in the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to reach out to 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 your furnace won't light.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the building quickly, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Northglenn 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 starts, but then quickly stops instead of running a full cycle. This is because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve issue also could cause your furnace to shut down to prevent creating a gas leak.

However, sometimes furnace short cycling is caused by other mechanical issues, 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 believe your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, cut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. DIY gas valve repair can result in dangerous situations if done incorrectly and also could 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. Besides, 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 fixing the broken one. 

Call Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Northglenn, Colorado, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Northglenn, Colorado, HVAC company—Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning. Our HVAC experts know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, perform the gas valve replacement safely and make sure your heating equipment is running efficiently again. 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 aging, inefficient furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 303-452-4146 today for gas valve replacement services from Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning.