Place Sound Barriers Around the AC Unit A sound blanket can reduce noise by up to 40%. These blankets wrap around the compressor (typically the loudest component), where the rubber and glass insulation absorbs the noise, trapping it inside the blanket.
Dust, dirt, and debris accumulation inside an air conditioner is a common cause of noisy operation, and regular cleaning and lubrication of moving parts can prevent these issues.
Sound Blankets will not completely eliminate all of the noise from your air conditioner. They are designed as a cost-effective solution as compared to moving or replacing your air conditioner. In general terms you should expect the noise level to drop by 30% to 50%.
Wrap the unit with sound damping materials
If you want to achieve a high level of soundproofing, it's a good idea to wrap the unit itself with sound damping materials. Many HVAC sound dampening materials are very easy to work with, and you most likely won't need to hire anyone to install it if you don't want to.
Common causes of air conditioner noise include loose parts, dirty filters, improperly mounted units, debris around the unit, and bent or damaged fins. You can fix most noises by tightening screws and bolts, cleaning or replacing filters, securing unit mounts, clearing debris, and straightening fins.
Your air conditioner should NOT be loud. You shouldn't have to stop talking or turn up the television because the air comes on. In fact, your ac should have a decibel level quieter than the sound of normal talking. That's why air conditioners with decibel ratings in the 50-60 dB range are good.
Finding the quietest air conditioners
Currently, the 50-60 dB range is as quiet as an air conditioner can get.
Utilizing anti-vibration mounts or pads under the cooler can further reduce noise by absorbing vibrations before they can spread through the floor or furniture. Maintenance plays a vital role in keeping your air cooler running quietly.
Below are some of the quietest air conditioners on the market, from top-brand manufacturers: Lennox XC25 Variable-Speed Air Conditioner = As Low as 59 dB. Carrier Infinity® 19 Variable-Speed AC = As Low as 56 DB. York Affinity™ YXV Variable-Capacity Air Conditioner = As Low as 53 dB.
Thanks to improvements in compressor technology and a fan-blade shape, the quietest modern models generate only 68 decibels of sound, which is about 1/20th of the noise generated by many older units. This means you can relax in the yard without being disturbed by the noise of an old AC compressor.
Use Sound Blankets
Consider installing soundproofing materials around the AC, like a sound blanket. These materials are specifically designed to muffle or dampen the noise AC units generate. You can also find out from the AC manufacturer which blankets are made for your model.
Dust, dirt, and debris around the coil fins, air ducts, and outdoor condenser unit are common causes of noise. Loose or misaligned parts like the fan blades or belt, lack of lubricant, blockage in the drain pipe, copper lines, or vents, and a malfunctioning thermostat can also lead to a noisy air conditioner.
If your air conditioner makes whooshing a noise, that's also not a problem. You will always hear light and gentle whooshing noises when your AC is on. There's air moving through there that makes a sound. This will get louder as you walk under vents.
A jet engine sound may be produced if the condenser fan in the outdoor unit is working improperly. The noise may indicate an accumulation of dirt and debris within the unit or an electrical issue with the fan.
To quiet the sound, vacuum up any collected debris inside the blower compartment and dust off the fan blades. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to tighten up the central hub if the fan is loose. For a bent blade, use your hands and apply steady pressure to realign it.
These noises could indicate an issue with the blower, a loose part, or even a failing compressor. Continuing to run your AC in this state can cause more damage. It is best to turn it off and call a professional HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
Place Sound Barriers Around the AC Unit
While a totally quiet operation is not possible, there are many things you can do to muffle or reduce the noise you experience. A sound blanket can reduce noise by up to 40%.
The ductwork could be undersized or not installed properly. But it could also be as simple as a blocked air filter. Maybe someone closed off too many vents. Yes this could cause the problem as well.
The duct silencers enable maintaining proper acoustic parameters in the rooms – even reducing noise in the rooms which require a high degree of acoustic comforts, such as e.g. sleeping rooms or reading rooms. The noise can be generated not only by the flow of air through the ducts.