Why Does My Gas Heater Make a Popping Noise?

Do you hear popping noise even without a bag of popcorn in the microwave? It could be because of the gas heater protesting against dirty furnace burners or damaged air ducts. A noisy gas heater is a cause of concern, often suggesting you go for gas heater service in the first place.

The following are the probable reasons why your gas heater is making a popping noise and what to do about them.

Noisy gas heater and how to deal with it

A loud popping noise, like someone hitting a metal file cabinet when the furnace is turned on, is usually a result of two common reasons. They are:

1) Dirt on furnace burners

When dirt accumulates on the furnace burners, the ignition takes time to carry through. As a result of this delay, gas builds up in the furnace as the system continues to try and ignite. When it finally does ignite, you hear a loud pop or bang due to all the gas that has been collected. These small explosions damage the furnace and can crack other components of the gas heater. Needless to say, these are hefty repairs if you don’t immediately schedule gas heater maintenance. Importantly, if you carry out regular inspection and servicing, it is unlikely the heater will make the noise.

2) Expansion and contraction of air ducts

Some gas heaters have air ducts made up of metal. When the furnace turns on and off, the metal ducts expand and contract. However, if there is some underlying issue, you may experience the popping sound indicating that something needs to be repaired, such as closed vents, undersized ducts, flimsy ducts, or clogged air filters. Due to the damaged air ducts, the metal creates a clicking noise when it expands and contracts as the furnace is turned on and off.

3) Loose inducer

If you have an oil-powered furnace, it must be using a motor-powered fan or inducer to blow out smoke and fumes. When the fan loses, it may produce a clicking sound when operative. Similarly, the accumulation of dirt or grime can hinder the working of the fan. Therefore, a heating expert must be called to troubleshoot the problem.

4) Worn out motor bearings

The bearings in the furnace motor may exhaust over time. When it does so, it starts to produce a popping noise signaling towards immediate gas heater service.

5) Gas valve or pilot problem

Another prominent cause of a noisy gas heater is indicative of issues with the gas valve or pilot light assemblies. If the gas valve is creating problems, it is recommended to get it fixed by a professional from the gas company. In cases where the pilot light assemblies become worn out, loose, bent, or dirty, it also usually suggests internal malfunctioning, and this has to be examined properly.

In a nutshell, a noisy gas heater often suggests repair, which is why you should never put off gas heater maintenance, as recommended by HVAC experts at Heating Experts. Give us a call to book a licensed technician at 1300 100 040.