I've got a bit of a creepy mystery on my hands. Last night around 8pm, there was this bizarre high-pitched noise in my house, similar to a smoke alarm but steady rather than pulsing. It would cut in and out but kept coming back, and it seemed strongest in the living room on the first floor. My friend is convinced it's paranormal, but I think it might have something to do with the house itself, which is about 95 years old and underwent some changes on the second floor. We called 911 because it was driving us nuts, and thankfully, one of the firefighters heard it right when he arrived. However, it hasn't returned since then, and I'm left wondering if an old smoke alarm or security system could be the culprit. Any ideas on what this could be?
3 Answers
Is your HVAC system installed in the ceiling? Sometimes fan motors and bad bearings in HVAC systems can create a similar high-pitched sound. It could be metal scraping that causes that loud pitch. Just a thought!
Another possibility is that it could be an old doorbell transformer. If it’s an antique from the 40s or 50s, it might have been hidden away during renovations. Sounds odd, but it could be wired in and still causing issues if it's left unused.
It's also worth checking if there's another source for the sound that could’ve gotten overlooked. Sometimes an old smoke detector might be behind a wall or drywalled in, especially in older houses like yours. Keep digging; you might just find it!
The HVAC is in the basement, but there’s some ductwork running through the wall near where we heard the noise the loudest. So it could be related after all, even if it didn’t sound mechanical.