“My furnace makes a high pitched noise” is a comment we hear sometimes when homeowners reach out for troubleshooting advice. In today’s post, we’ve got you covered! Gold Star Services will discuss the causes for a high-pitched squealing or whistling sound in your furnace and explain how to fix it.

My Furnace Makes a High Pitched Noise: Why?

The two most common culprits for high-pitched furnace noises are the blower and low airflow. Let’s take a closer look at each:

• The Blower

A high-pitched squealing or whistling noise in a furnace could indicate problems with the unit’s blower or the motor that powers it. The motor has bearings that can become worn out with age or with repeated overheating (build-up of dirt or problems with the capacitor can cause a unit to overheat). A professional HVAC technician can inspect your unit and replace any loose, worn out or broken parts.

If your unit has a belt-driven motor, loose or damaged belts can create squealing sounds as the motor runs. Realigning or replacing damaged belts will often do the trick here. 

• Low Airflow

If your unit’s blower is unable to pull enough air in to be heated, you might hear a whistling noise. In this case, the problem could be due to low airflow. This can result from dirty air filters, dirty air ducts or air vents that are closed or obstructed in some way. To troubleshoot this issue, change or clean (if reusable) air filters and inspect/clean air vents and air ducts. If you are still unable to fix the problem, have a professional take a look.

Conclusion

Regular care and maintenance can often prevent the problems that lead to high-pitched noises in a furnace. An annual tune-up from a professional HVAC company like Gold Star Services keeps your unit clean and efficient, and it can save you hours of troubleshooting.

If you have questions about your furnace—or any other HVAC-related topics—reach out to Gold Star Services today! We offer repairs, replacement and maintenance services in the areas of heating, air conditioning and water heaters. Call 1-302-947-8694 to get started!