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—however, without it, your furnace simply won’t work.

In this blog, Tri County Climate Control LLC will highlight the key signs of a broken gas valve. Whether you’re dealing with issues or planning ahead, this guide for Bend, Oregon, homeowners will help you understand when you may need furnace gas valve replacement—and when to call the experts at Tri County Climate Control LLC.

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

First, it's important to know 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, enabling the combustion process to occur and produce heat. If gas isn't flowing, a gas-powered furnace won't give off 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 10–20 years. Although replacement price depends on the model 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 clues 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 provides fuel for the flame. Without adequate gas flow through the system, a furnace won’t start up. Sometimes, 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 might also indicate  other mechanical breakdowns, 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 contact 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 clear sign of a broken furnace gas valve is a gas smell in your home. This isn’t just a furnace maintenance issue—it’s an urgent safety risk. A gas leak can cause a fire, explosion or even CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave the home right away, call your gas company or 911, and then contact Tri County Climate Control LLC for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace is 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 produce inconsistent gas flow. A valve failure also could trigger your furnace to shut down to avoid causing a gas leak.

At the same time, sometimes furnace short cycling has other causes, 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, shut off the gas supply to avoid additional danger, then shut down your furnace. Don’t attempt to fix the valve yourself. 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 has some other issue—gas valve repair isn’t a task for someone without specialized tools and training. In addition, when it comes to deciding between gas valve repair and gas valve replacement, it's almost always recommended to replace a gas valve instead of repairing it. 

Call Tri County Climate Control LLC to Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for the Bend, Oregon, Winter

To replace your furnace gas valve safely, contact the professional Bend, Oregon, HVAC company—Tri County Climate Control LLC. Our experienced professionals know exactly what to do when it comes to gas valve troubleshooting. We'll identify the problem, 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 connect you with furnace installation service to help you replace your outdated heating system.

Don’t put your home at risk. Call 541-546-1393 today for gas valve replacement services from Tri County Climate Control LLC.