Thomas J. Fannon & Sons

All heating systems make some kind of noise, and for the most part they’re not a cause for concern. But if your furnace is making a constant clicking noise, this is definitely something you should worry about. Repeated clicking from a gas furnace can indicate a system malfunction that’s probably caused by the gas valve or igniter. This issue is something that should only be handled by an HVAC repair technician like Thomas J. Fannon & Sons. 

How Does the Ignition System Work in a Gas Furnace?

Much like the ignition system in your car, your furnace’s ignition system is responsible for starting up your unit when it senses that the temperature has dropped below your preferred setting. There’s a distinct clicking noise during this process, but hearing constant clicking means that your furnace is attempting to light up the burner but failing.

Common Causes of Clicking Noises

Gas valve. A broken or clogged valve may fail to release gas. When this happens, your ignitor will click endlessly, sounding much like somebody trying to use an empty lighter.

Thermocouple. This component in your furnace senses the presence of a flame and signals the gas valve to open. If it’s not working correctly, the signal isn’t sent, and the ignitor will keep clicking.

Fan or inducer. The fan or inducer can sometimes make clicking noises due to a chipped or broken fan blade. In any case, call a technician right away, as this can greatly affect your indoor air quality.

Air ducts. If you notice that the noise isn’t originating from the furnace itself, this could mean that a seam in your air duct has come loose and two pieces of metal are producing a clicking noise as the air passes through.

If your heating system is making any type of unnatural noise, call the heater and air conditioner experts at Thomas J. Fannon & Sons right away! You can reach us at (703) 549-5700, or alternatively, you can fill out our contact form and we’ll have your HVAC system running smoothly again in a jiff.