Should I Be Concerned About My Furnace Making a Clicking Sound?

When fall and winter come around, Central PA residents want to ensure they can trust their heating system to function properly for the entire cold season. However, what happens if you crank up the heat for the first time this season, and you find that your furnace is making a mysterious clicking noise? Is this a cause for alarm?

When your furnace starts clicking, it’s important to understand the possible causes so you know if you need immediate assistance. Leggett Inc. is here to help. Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons your furnace might be making a clicking noise.

Why Is My Furnace Making Clicking Sounds?

Hearing a clicking noise from your furnace is not that unusual. There are various reasons why you’ll hear your furnace make clicking noises when it’s off, while it’s running or during startup, and it’s often something you don’t want to ignore.

The most common reasons furnaces make clicking noises are an ignition system malfunction or internal part damage — and both of these situations would require a professional to diagnose and repair.

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Faulty Ignition System

One typical reason you’d find your furnace making clicking noises is that its ignition system is malfunctioning. When you set your thermostat to warm your house, the furnace begins to pull air into the burner. At this point, the ignition system starts to build energy so that when the gas valve opens and mixes gas with air in the burner, it can create a small spark to ignite the burner. This creates the heat that your furnace blower then distributes throughout your house.

If there’s a problem anywhere along this process, you may hear your furnace clicking when starting or running. Some common issues your furnace’s ignition system may experience include:

• Dirty or clogged sensor: A dirty or clogged thermocouple can result in prolonged clicking coming from your furnace. The thermocouple is a sensor that detects a flame and signals the system to shut its gas valve. If the sensor is covered in dirt or grime, it won’t acknowledge the flame and signal the rest of the system accordingly. When this happens, the spark igniter will operate as if there isn’t a flame. It will continue to click while the furnace is running until it wears out.
• Unopened gas valve: Without gas, there is nothing for the igniter to light. Similar to a faulty sensor, a malfunctioning gas valve will confuse the flame igniter and cause it to click repeatedly in an attempt to spark a flame. Your furnace’s gas valve could shut due to a bad ignition board, poor connection between the board and the valve, or a bad valve itself. Regardless of the cause, a closed valve can cause your furnace to click endlessly in a futile attempt to light your heating system.

Loose or Broken Interior Parts

Your furnace may also produce a clicking sound if some of its interior parts are damaged, broken or knocked loose. Some of these problems include:

• Fan or inducer: Your oil furnace’s fans experience heavy use, and they come into contact with a lot of dirt and debris. Either of these can cause the fans to wear out or break. A broken or loose fan blade can cause your furnace to click while running.
• Electrical components: Electrical furnaces won’t leak gas, but their inner workings can still malfunction and result in a clicking noise.
• Motor: If your furnace seems to be producing heat as usual but still makes a clicking noise, you may be hearing its motor’s bearings or other tiny parts moving around.
• Ducts: If your heating ducts are loose or cracked, you may hear a clicking noise throughout your house and not just near the furnace.

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Should I Hire A Professional to Fix the Clicking Sound From My Furnace?

If you suspect that your furnace is clicking as a result of a malfunctioning ignition system or due to loose or broken parts, your best bet is to call a qualified maintenance team to investigate the problem and provide an effective solution. For customers in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Mechanicsburg and Camp Hill, Leggett Inc. is your best source for affordable and reliable furnace repair.

Leggett Inc. has over 50 years of experience servicing the most common makes and models around Central PA. Our NATE-certified technicians will get your heating system back up and running in no time with minimal disruption for you. You can count on Leggett Inc. for dependable products and services all year round.

Furnace Maintenance and Repair From Leggett Inc.

If your furnace is making a clicking noise, don’t ignore it. Trust Leggett Inc. to resolve the issue. Our experienced technicians provide numerous services to keep your HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems operating smoothly. Get in touch with us online or call us at 717-773-4561 to get a free quote, set up a maintenance appointment or discuss our products and services.