How to reduce noise in air handler closet?

Author: Ida Macejkovic  |  Last update: Thursday, June 26, 2025

To act as an effective HVAC sound baffle, you'll want to make sure to build your closet with dense walls and a heavy door. The insulation you use in your HVAC closet must be dense enough to absorb sound waves but also safe to use near the unit. Once it's well insulated, don't forget to seal it all up well.

How to make an air handler quieter?

To make it less noisy, just reduce the velocity of the moving air. That can be done by turning the blower down to a lower speed, so it moves less volume of air through the grille. Or, it can be done by increasing the surface area of the filter-grille, so the same volume of air is spread out across the larger grille.

How to soundproof a HVAC closet?

Adding density to the closet wall improves the overall soundproofing performance. Installing a second layer of drywall on your existing wall with a damping compound increases density and reduces vibrations. This noise-proofing glue improves sound isolation by dissipating vibrations.

How to soundproof an air handler?

6 Ways to Soundproof Your HVAC Unit
  1. Use a Sound-Absorbing Blanket. A soundproof blanket or sound curtain comes in handy when you want to reduce the noise coming from your HVAC unit. ...
  2. Enclose the HVAC Unit. ...
  3. Use Flexible Ductwork Where Possible. ...
  4. Place the Unit on a Suitable Surface. ...
  5. Install Duct Liners. ...
  6. Change Your Location.

Why is my air handler so 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 to Quiet a Noisy Forced-Air System | This Old House

Do duct silencers work?

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.

How to quiet a noisy air conditioner inside?

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.

Can you insulate an air handler?

Absolutely! Traditionally, organizations such as the Insulation Institute recommend insulating air handler ducts with fiberglass insulation solutions such as duct liner, duct wrap, or fiberglass boards. They list 3 benefits of insulating air handler ducts: Energy Conservation.

How do you stop ventilation noise?

Possibly the best, most professional and reliable ways to reduce noise from ventilation ducts & reduce the risk of cross talk is to use a specialist duct noise reducer. Called circular sound attenuators, or silencers, these will decrease the sound transmitted throughout your ventilation ductwork.

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 can I make my furnace blower quieter?

10 Ways on How to Quiet a Noisy Furnace Blower
  1. Find and Replace the Loose Parts. A loose part can be noisy. ...
  2. Fix Damaged Insulation. ...
  3. Fasten Your Furnace Motors. ...
  4. Use Return Air Ducts. ...
  5. Replace or Repair Motor Mounting Grommets. ...
  6. Oil the Furnace Motor and Parts. ...
  7. Attaching the Furnace to Support Beams. ...
  8. Fix the Noisy Blower Fan.

How to block noise from air 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.

Why is my new HVAC blower so loud?

For example, a smaller duct system could contribute to less air circulating through your home. This means that your new furnace is noisier because the larger size of its components allows you to receive more airflow.

Why is the inside of my air handler making a humming sound?

Humming from the inside unit could have to do with an electrical problem or loose components. Buzzing from a loose part sounds a lot different than electrical buzzing. Perhaps the most common cause, though, is the capacitor. This is essentially like a massive battery that stores a lot of energy.

How do you soundproof ventilation?

A correct installation, e.g. avoiding the use of excessive lengths of ducting, crushed ducts, or improperly sealed ducts that cause leaks or the build-up of pressure (either of which will require your ventilation unit to have to work harder, in turn generating excess noise).

Why is my ventilation so loud?

Over time, dust and debris get trapped in your air filters. The filters will become less effective and can even become clogged if you aren't regularly changing them. You might also hear thumping, buzzing, or a high-pitched whistling sound due to dirty air filters.

How to make airflow quieter?

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.

Can you cover an air handler?

Covering the outdoor unit has some natural consequences that can be harmful to the air conditioner or heat pump. Covers trap moisture inside and restrict airflow – these issues can lead to rust, corrosion, mold growth, and other damage to your unit.

Can you add heat strips to air handler?

A fourth component, the electric heat strip, is also installed inside the air handler. Heat strips are made up of coils. Electricity, which flows into your home from the power grid, energizes these coils. They then resist the electricity, and heat is made.

Does an air handler need to be enclosed?

It is always the case that an air handler is located inside, but it is not always the case that the stuff inside an air handler have to be inside.

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 can I do if my neighbors air conditioner is loud?

If your neighbour's noise is bothering you, first try to have a friendly talk with them. Often people don't realise they are disturbing others and are happy to stop or reduce their noise. If talking with your neighbour doesn't work you can complain to your local council, the police and other authorities.

What is the quietest air conditioner compressor?

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.

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