Furnace Making Clicking Noises in Your Dayton Home? Here’s Why

Imagine putting your heat on during the first chilly day of the season and hearing an irritating sound coming from the furnace. A furnace making clicking noises is cause for concern and requires urgent furnace repair in Dayton, Ohio, but what exactly is the reason for this unusual sound?

At A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling, our technicians address this issue for many worried homeowners. Check out some of the common reasons why your furnace might be making a clicking noise and what you can do to enjoy a silent heating operation. This guide explains everything you need to know about making your noisy furnace quiet again. 

Are Furnace Noises Normal?

Don’t ignore any unusual noises you hear from your heating system. You might hear a slight hum as the furnace goes through a heating cycle but you shouldn’t hear any clicking, rumbling, or screeching sounds. If you do notice these sounds, reach out to a qualified HVAC contractor right away. 

Continuing to use the heater won’t make the noise go away. You risk your own safety and comfort by doing this since the damage can escalate to the point of shutting down the entire system. Shut off the furnace and schedule emergency repair services to quickly resolve the issue. 

Seven Common Furnace Issues That Lead To Clicking Noises

Ask an HVAC expert, “Why is my furnace making clicking noises?” and they might give you multiple answers. A gas, oil, or electric furnace can send irritating clicking sounds throughout your home and struggle to generate heat in the process. Below are seven of the top reasons why your furnace keeps making this sound. 

1. Natural Expanding and Contracting

You don’t have to panic if you hear intermittent or infrequent clicking. This could be a natural reaction from your furnace as the metal components expand and contract during the heating cycle. One simple way to monitor this is to turn on your furnace and wait a few minutes. 

As the internal temperature rises, you might hear some distinct pops or clicks coming from the metal. The sound shouldn’t persist while the furnace runs but may return once the heating cycle ends and the metal cools off by contracting. Have a contractor inspect the system just in case to rule out loose parts that need tightening. 

2. Ignitor Issues

Any gas furnace making clicking noises when it turns on is likely due to an ignition problem. The pilot light won’t be able to stay lit and support the combustion process if your furnace isn’t receiving a steady supply of gas or the flame sensor starts malfunctioning. 

Consistent clicking sounds when you first turn on the furnace usually indicate this problem. Along with the unusual noise, you may also experience the following:

• Short cycling where the furnace turns on and off quickly
• A lack of consistent heat
• A yellow pilot light that goes out frequently

Experts will have to check the flame sensor to make sure it’s clean. In addition, they’ll inspect the furnace’s gas valve for a leak. This not only weakens the flow of gas to sustain the pilot light but also puts your home in danger. 

3. Faulty Electrical Components

Your furnace can’t function without key electrical components like the relay switch and control board. If these parts begin to fail, your system might produce a clicking noise to signal a possible electrical short.

Don’t attempt to fix the electrical components on your own. This may result in further damage to the system and jeopardize your safety if you don’t have the proper tools or training. Let a professional inspect the heater and upgrade the electrical parts, if necessary. 

4. A Broken Motor Blower

Another possible reason for a furnace making clicking noises is a faulty motor blower. This vital part of your heating system can start clicking due to normal wear, misaligned parts, or large amounts of debris near the motor. If you continue to use the furnace without addressing these issues, the sound will persist and make repair services critical. 

5. Debris Inside the Furnace

Keeping debris out of your HVAC system goes beyond changing the air filter. The internal parts of a furnace may accumulate dust over time and screws may become loose over time. This can result in odd clicking noises that will continue until you clean the debris and tighten the loose parts.

6. Damaged Ductwork

It’s not just your furnace that may expand and contract to create a clicking sound. Your home’s ductwork is also susceptible to this whenever your furnace operates. The sound may become more repetitive or noticeable if you have any gaps within your ductwork.

Not only will damaged ductwork contribute to unwanted noises from your furnace but it can also cost you more on your energy bills. Seal all the air ducts to prevent heat from escaping. 

7. Lack of Maintenance

Many of the issues listed above ultimately stem from a lack of furnace maintenance. Over time, your heating system will malfunction if you don’t take care of it. The deterioration can stem from normal wear and tear as well as issues like dirty sensors, loosened parts, and faulty electrical connections. 

A furnace maintenance appointment prevents clicking noises and other malfunctions with the following steps:

• Changing the air filter
• Cleaning dirty sensors and burners
• Tightening loose parts
• Inspecting ductwork
• Lubricating moving parts
• Testing electrical components

Experts will address any minor issues that appear during a maintenance appointment so your furnace remains reliable throughout the entire heating season. 

Keep Your Furnace Functional With the Help of A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling

A furnace making clicking noises requires immediate attention to rule out issues like a faulty gas valve or broken motor blower. At A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling, we can help you overcome these problems with reliable repair services and replace the heater if necessary so you can reap the benefits of installing a new furnace. Our technicians promise to deliver top-notch service and give you peace of mind as you use your furnace going forward. 

If you’d like a consultation, give us a call at (937) 865-2325.