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—but without it, your furnace won’t run properly.

In this blog, Precision Mechanical will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or just want more information about how a furnace works, this guide for Rapid City, South Dakota, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Precision Mechanical.

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

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it controls. The furnace gas valve regulates the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, providing the fuel necessary for the combustion process to occur and produce 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 designed to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. While replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and whether any additional repairs are needed, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $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 is the energy source for combustion. Without proper gas flow through the system, a furnace can't ignite. Sometimes, homeowners also report 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 bad flame sensor, an issue with 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Gas Leak

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a strong odor of gas in your residence. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance concern—it’s an potentially deadly hazard. A gas leak can lead to fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Precision Mechanical for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. The valve malfunction also could force your furnace to power off to avoid creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to call a professional HVAC technician for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you think your furnace gas valve is broken, it’s critical to take the situation seriously.

First, turn off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve on your own. DIY gas valve repair can create a deadly gas leak if not done right and also could 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 DIY job. Besides, 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 the broken one. 

Call Precision Mechanical to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Rapid City, South Dakota, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Rapid City, South Dakota, HVAC company—Precision Mechanical. 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 ensure your furnace is running efficiently again. 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 old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 605-702-0850 today for gas valve replacement services from Precision Mechanical.