Understanding when to replace your furnace gas valve is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable, protected and cost-effective. The gas valve is an often ignored part of your heating system—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re troubleshooting a potential problem or planning ahead, this guide for Nebraska, Nebraska, homeowners will help you know when it’s time for furnace gas valve replacement—and how to reach out to the trusted team at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning.

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

To start, it's important to learn 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 make 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 shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. While replacement price depends on the kind of furnace and if any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $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 is the energy source for combustion. Without proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Sometimes, 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 issues, such as a damaged sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or a pressure drop in the gas line. If you experience these problems, 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 light.

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 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 Interstate 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 might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve issue also could cause your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

However, 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 If Your Furnace Gas Valve Isn't Working?

If you think your furnace gas valve has malfunctioned, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, cut off the gas supply to stop the flow of gas, then turn off your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve on your own. 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 isn't working for another reason—gas valve repair isn’t a good do-it-yourself task. Plus, 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 it. 

Call Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Nebraska, Nebraska, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Nebraska, Nebraska, HVAC company—Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning. Our experienced professionals know just what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll pinpoint what's wrong, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure your system is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even connect your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t delay critical repairs. Call 402-581-9641 today for gas valve replacement services from Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning.