Understanding 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—however, without it, your furnace can’t function.

In this blog, Strine's 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 York, Pennsylvania, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to contact the professionals at Strine's.

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 is responsible for. 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 make heat. If gas flow is blocked, a gas-powered furnace can't make any heat.

Also a key safety feature, the furnace gas valve is supposed to close automatically when an issue arises—preventing a potentially dangerous gas leak. The typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10 to 20 years on average. While replacement price can change based on the type of furnace and whether any other components need fixing, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of between $300 and $800.

The Furnace Won't Light

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 what fuels the burner. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. 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 damaged sensor, a problem with the thermocouple or low gas pressure. 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 the furnace won't ignite.

Furnace Smells Like Gas

One major sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell coming from your furnace. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an emergency. A gas leak can create 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 contact Strine's for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Keeps Short Cycling

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace runs in short bursts instead of going through its full cycle. This might be occurring because a faulty furnace gas valve can cause inconsistent gas flow. A valve issue also could trigger your furnace to stop to prevent creating a gas leak.

That said, 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 If 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, turn off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then cut power to your furnace. Don’t try to fix 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 malfunctioning in some other way—gas valve work isn’t a DIY job. Plus, when it comes to weighing gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's usually recommended to replace a gas valve instead of fixing the broken one. 

Call Strine's to Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the York, Pennsylvania, Cold

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional York, Pennsylvania, HVAC company—Strine's. Our experienced professionals 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 system is running at peak performance. To save even more power, we can even match your system with one of our smart thermostats or provide furnace installation service to help you replace your old, unsafe furnace.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 717-864-4554 today for gas valve replacement services from Strine's.