Is a Whistling Furnace Dangerous?

If you hear a whistling sound coming out of your furnace, it’s a sign that something is wrong. It’s an unmistakable warning that there’s a leak in your HVAC system. Now, it could be as simple as a dirty air filter or as complex as a damaged blower motor. But, in most cases, you’ll want to hire an HVAC professional to diagnose the issue.

Don’t risk your family’s safety by ignoring the warning signs of a faulty furnace.

Even more critical, if you hear a whistling sound coming from your gas furnace, it may be more serious than a minor air leak. In some cases, it could be a gas leak, which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, and death.

What Causes a Whistling Noise From Your Furnace?

According to the CDC, more than 100,000 Americans visit the ER every year because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Of those, 400 die due to poisoning not caused by fires. Damaged or faulty furnaces are one of the top sources of carbon monoxide, so it’s important to understand exactly what is causing your furnace whistling.

Dirty Air Filter

One of the most common causes of a high-pitched whistling sound is an old filter. Dirty filters cause increased air pressure, which results in poor air flow and an audible whistling noise.

Loose Registers

Another simple fix is a loose register, which covers the air vents in your home. If you notice your furnace making a whistling, check your registers and, if necessary, tighten or replace them.

Leaking Air Ducts

Your home’s air ducts are a closed system, which means that any damage caused to them can result in unusual noise, including whistling, squealing, and rattling. If your ductwork is older, you will likely need to call a professional HVAC technician to eliminate the unwanted noise.

Damaged Blower Wheel

If your furnace’s blower wheel is old, damaged, or misaligned, it can cause poor airflow, which often results in your furnace whistling, rattling, or vibrating. Usually considered a more complex furnace repair, it’s best to call a professional if you suspect your blower is damaged.

Gas Leaks

Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector near their furnace. You should also have a detector on every floor of your home. Furnace noises aren’t the best signal of dangerous gas leaks. But, if you suspect your HVAC system has a gas leak, you should leave immediately, call the authorities, and wait for the okay to reenter.

Get Your Furnace’s Whistling Sound Fixed

It’s important to know that you can’t diagnose your furnace’s issues using a blog post. At R.W. LaPine, we’re here whether you have a small issue or a serious issue. When you call us, we’ll dispatch a technician to you to diagnose your system’s issues, and ensure that it’s operating at peak efficiency.

Whether we need to replace faulty parts, fix damaged components, or perform a total furnace replacement, you can count on us to ensure your furnace starts without issue. So, if you’ve got a whistling noise coming from your furnace, contact us today to schedule a visit.