How can I make my AC closet quieter?

Author: Prof. Adolphus Will  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

We recommend using CelluZorbe to line the walls of your furnace closet. It is great at absorbing sound and is a very cost effective product. CelluZorbe is composed of mostly recycled materials (cellulose fibers) that are highly absorptive and safe to touch (unlike fiberglass).

How to reduce noise in air handler closet?

Fix a vent by either tightening it down to the wall or by adding mass to change its resonance frequency or by using weather striping at the edges of the metal vent before putting it on the brackets so that the vibration from the air ducts are isolated from the vent.

Is there a way to make your AC unit quieter?

You can reduce noise from an air conditioner by installing a sound blanket or sound curtain, choosing the location of the unit carefully, surrounding it with a fence, and adding sound absorbing or sound blocking material to the enclosure.

How to muffle sound through vents?

Soundproofing Air Vents in 6 Easy Steps
  1. Completely seal the air vent with drywall. ...
  2. Apply an acoustic sealant to the opening. ...
  3. Use soundproof curtains or blankets to cover the vent. ...
  4. Create a sound maze within the vent. ...
  5. Add a layer of acoustic foam for Soundproofing Air Vents. ...
  6. Keep the Vent Grate Shut.

How can I make my AC intake quieter?

Here are a few ways to reduce HVAC noise.
  1. Seal Air Leaks. Air leaks are one of the main causes of noise in HVAC systems. ...
  2. Upgrade Your HVAC System. ...
  3. Ventilation. ...
  4. Choosing the Right Location. ...
  5. Insulating the Walls. ...
  6. Cover Your Unit Using Soundproof Materials. ...
  7. Install Flexible Ducts. ...
  8. Get Duct Silencers.

BEST way to make your HVAC COMPLETELY QUIET! 🤫

Why is my AC air intake so loud?

Dirty air filters or ducts: Over time, the dust and dirt buildup on your air filters and inside of your ducts makes it hard for your equipment to move air. It can also make the system noisier. The solution is to clean or replace your filter regularly and have your ducts cleaned if they start to impede airflow.

What is a sound blanket for an air conditioner?

This blanket works by covering the air compressor, which is the noisiest part of an AC. The blanket absorbs the noise that the compressor makes. It is made of acoustic glass insulation and is responsible for sound waves. To reduce noise even better, the blanket has a heavy rubber barrier.

How to dampen HVAC noise?

Ways to Reduce HVAC Noise
  1. Use Sound Blankets and Barrier Walls. ...
  2. Upgrade Your HVAC System. ...
  3. Optimize Ductwork Design. ...
  4. Wrap HVAC Ducts and Components. ...
  5. Rearrange Interior Spaces and Add Sound-Absorbing Materials. ...
  6. Regular Maintenance of HVAC Systems. ...
  7. Install Vibration Isolation Mounts.

What is a duct silencer?

An HVAC duct silencer is specifically engineered to reduce airborne noise carried along ducts or produced by enclosures. You'll also find these silencers described as sound attenuators when they are used in industrial settings.

How do you make a sound barrier for an air conditioner?

Fencing: Try putting a fence in front of or around the air conditioner, this creates a barrier for the sound and traps the sound's movement. You can use plywood to fence the air conditioner, or buy an air conditioner fence.

Why is my AC unit insanely loud?

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.

How do I reduce the volume of my air conditioner?

Here are nine practical tips to reduce air conditioner sounds:
  1. Choose the Optimal Location for Installation. ...
  2. Level Your Outdoor Condenser Pad. ...
  3. Use an AC Sound Blanket. ...
  4. Install Sound Barriers. ...
  5. Insulate Ducts. ...
  6. Go Green! ...
  7. Schedule Regular Maintenance. ...
  8. Seal Gaps Around the Air Conditioner.

What is the quiet option on my AC unit?

ㆍQuiet mode ( ) makes the noise quieter during operating the indoor unit in the Heat mode. ㆍSince the air conditioner heats the room by taking heat energy from outdoor air, the heating capacity may decrease when outdoor temperature is extremely low.

How to make an AC closet quieter?

We recommend using CelluZorbe to line the walls of your furnace closet. It is great at absorbing sound and is a very cost effective product. CelluZorbe is composed of mostly recycled materials (cellulose fibers) that are highly absorptive and safe to touch (unlike fiberglass).

How can I quiet my AC unit?

Quiet a Loud Compressor

The loud and distracting racket created by normal A/C compressor noise bouncing off your exterior walls can make spending time outdoors less enjoyable. You can quiet the clamor by having a sound-insulating condenser blanket and/or vibration-dampening mounts installed.

How do I stop my vents from making noise?

These are some simple ways you can stop ductwork noise:
  1. Clean or Replace the Filter. ...
  2. Clean the Ductwork. ...
  3. Adjust or Upgrade the Dampers. ...
  4. Insulate Your Ductwork. ...
  5. Check Your Furnace. ...
  6. Change the Blower. ...
  7. Install Ducts with an Insulated Liner.

Where should a duct silencer be placed?

It is best to place the Duct Silencer within 2 - 4 feet of the blower / ventilator for maximum noise reduction.

Do duct fan silencers work?

They take advantage of the principles of sound waves and the properties of materials to diffuse the noise. Sounds, just like light, are waves. When a sound wave hits an object, it's either absorbed, reflected, or transmitted. Duct fan silencers are designed to absorb these waves, significantly reducing the noise level.

Do AC sound blankets work?

Sound blankets do not impair airflow; in fact, they actually insulate the compressor and help the unit maintain a more consistent temperature, thereby prolonging the life span of the compressor's bearings. Further, sound blankets can reduce the noise coming from your air conditioner by 30 to 50 percent.

What to do about neighbors' loud air conditioners?

If your neighbour's AC keeps making excessive noise even after asking them to do something about it, you may bring the issue to the authorities and local court. It's best to get help from a real estate lawyer.

How do you soundproof HVAC ducts?

How to Soundproof Ductwork in Your Home
  1. Repair Ductwork. Before soundproofing ductwork, check if it needs service or replacement. ...
  2. Decide Between Soundproofing or Sound-Absorbing Materials. ...
  3. Use Liners for Ductwork Sound Insulation. ...
  4. Choose Flexible Ductwork to Reduce Noise.
  5. Use a Duct Silencer to Prevent Sound Travel.

What is HVAC noise control?

It describes common noise sources such as fans, compressors, pumps and ductwork. It then explains approaches to reduce noise such as using resilient hangers and mounts, lining ducts, sealing penetrations, and selecting quieter equipment.

How does an AC blanket work?

An air conditioner blanket is a specialized type of blanket designed to keep you warm and comfortable when using an air conditioner. It is created from light, breathable cooling materials allowing you to sleep cooler without overheating or overcooling.

What are the blankets used for sound dampening?

Sound Shield™ Sound Proof Acoustic Blankets are used in Industrial & Commercial Rooms where sound needs to be absorbed as well as reverberations and echoing stopped. These Acoustical Blankets with grommets are made from either a 1”, 2”, or even 4” Sound Absorbing Fiberglass based materials.

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