Knowing when to replace your furnace gas valve is a vital part of keeping your home safe, warm and energy efficient. The gas valve is an often under appreciated part of your heating system—and without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Bigfoot Heating & Cooling will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or planning ahead, this guide for Spokane, Washington, homeowners will help you recognize the need for furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Bigfoot Heating & Cooling.

What is a Furnace Gas Valve and Why is It Important?

To begin, it's important to understand what a furnace gas valve is and what it is responsible for. The furnace gas valve controls the flow of natural gas or propane into the unit's burner assembly, allowing the combustion process to occur and generate 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 designed to shut if a problem is detected—preventing a potentially deadly gas leak. A typical furnace gas valve lifespan is about 10–20 years. Although replacement price can change based on the kind of furnace and if any other service is required, replacing a furnace gas valve costs an average of $300 to $800.

Your Furnace Won't Ignite

One of the signs 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 proper gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Occasionally, 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 also could be signs of  other mechanical issues, such as a faulty flame sensor, an issue with the thermocouple or insufficient fuel supply. If you are dealing with these issues, it's important to call 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 start or the pilot light won't stay lit.

Gas Leak

One clear sign of a gas valve problem is a noticeable gas smell 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, evacuate the home immediately, call your gas company or 911, and then phone Bigfoot Heating & Cooling for emergency furnace repair.

Your Furnace Keeps Starting and Stopping

Faulty gas valve symptoms also include short cycling. Short cycling describes 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 result in inconsistent gas flow. A valve malfunction also could force your furnace to turn off to prevent creating a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling is the result of different underlying issues, so it's important to seek out a qualified heating expert for evaluation and possible furnace repair. 

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

If you believe your furnace gas valve isn’t working properly, it’s important to act quickly and safely.

First, shut off the gas supply to prevent any further risk, then turn off 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 repair isn’t a DIY job. Plus, 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 Bigfoot Heating & Cooling to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Spokane, Washington, Chill

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Spokane, Washington, HVAC company—Bigfoot Heating & Cooling. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll diagnose the issue, handle the gas valve replacement safely and ensure 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 connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t compromise your safety or comfort. Call 509-472-8623 today for gas valve replacement services from Bigfoot Heating & Cooling.