Hello, as it says in the title... a pretty strange loud screeching sound has been coming from my heater. The best way to describe it is the sound of water running through the pipes when someone is taking a shower.

I am assuming one of the fans is off balance or something. The sound is very intense when the heater is starting up and has been getting worse. After the heater runs for awhile sometimes the sound quiets to the normal heater sound but not always.

I have replaced parts in the heater before, but I had a blinking code that told me what needed replacing last time. I just want to know what to ask for a the HVAC supply store. Thanks in advance!

-Paul

p.s. I have recorded the sound but I can't post .wav files... and the .zip file is still a bit too large to post. I can email the audio if anyone wants to hear it.

Hmmm interesting. A 'screeching" could happen when the fan hub has separated from the blower wheel.

Would the heater still work if it separated from the blower wheel?

IT could be the cat in the blower LOL sorry had to

Would the heater still work if it separated from the blower wheel?

Sure. The blower hub separating wouldn't prevent the heat from starting and the wheel may get enough traction to catch and circulate air with enough slippage to cause a screeching sound... that or the cat IS in your furnace :p

So is the blower hub on the furnace the thing that looks a little like a turbo?

It looks like there are possibly 3 fans to choose from here.