If you notice your AC unit sounding louder than usual, it's never a bad idea to call a trusted HVAC service provider for a visit.
For the most part, an HVAC system will be very quiet background noise that's easy to ignore. An HVAC system usually won't run loudly unless there's a problem. Your HVAC system, if there's a problem, may make several different noises. You may hear a buzzing noise, a popping sound, or even clanking.
If the usual noise volume increases, or you start to hear flapping, rattling or high-pitched sounds from the supply vents, return grilles or ceiling diffusers, it's likely due to an increase in pressure caused by airflow restrictions somewhere in the HVAC system.
Aging or Malfunctioning Blower Motor
An aging blower motor can develop mechanical issues or experience wear and tear, increasing noise levels. Worn-out bearings, bent fan blades, or an imbalanced motor can contribute to a noisy blower, also.
Ideally any appliance or HVAC system should never create sound louder than 60 dB inside your home. Trane air conditioners have sound levels as low as 57 dB and heat pumps have sound levels as low as 43 dB in their quietest mode.
Most people can hear between 0-130 decibels, but the higher the range, the more damage that noise does. Extended exposure to anything above 85 dB can result in permanent damage. 130 is where people suffer extreme hearing loss as well as pain.
You can listen to sounds at 70 dBA or lower for as long as you want. Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time. Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA.
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.
Use Sound Blankets and Barrier Walls
Products like those offered by Sound Fighter Systems are designed specifically for HVAC noise reduction. These barriers not only mitigate sounds from HVAC units but can also block external noise from highways, railways, and industrial activities.
A fan makes more noise if its parts are loose or not working properly. There might also be something wrong with the firmware for the hardware component that's running the fan.
Several things can make your AC unit sound like it's preparing for takeoff: Fan Issues: Sometimes, the culprit is as simple as debris stuck in your AC's fan, or maybe the fan blades aren't aligned correctly. It doesn't take much for these elements to disrupt your peace.
Rattling (Inside the House), Clanking or Banging
Like “thwapping,” these sounds could be related to the furnace's blower assembly or motor, and are likely due to something being either loose or broken. If you hear louder banging sounds when the blower is running, shut the system off until you can get help.
Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
One of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions for reducing noise is to install a sound blanket to act as an air conditioner noise barrier. You can check with your AC unit's manufacturer for a blanket size that will fit your unit, or you can purchase a universal sound blanket.
Another great benefit of newer central air conditioners is that they are much quieter.
You could be dealing with a malfunctioning blower fan or a broken motor. At the same time, the compressor could even be starting to wear out. In any case, it's always a good idea to contact your local AC company to diagnose and fix the complication as soon as possible.
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.
Typically, manufacturers make sound blankets out of fiberglass and cover with it with a vinyl face. A sound blanket will help keep the noise level of your air conditioning unit to a minimum. You can also have your contractor install a sound blanket around the air conditioner compressor.
There also is no industry standard that manufacturers must meet. Some manufacturers, however, are striving to make units as quiet as they can be. Ritz says a typical low-end unit might have a noise level of about 78 to 82 decibels, but the best units are about 72 to 78 decibels.
Clanking and banging can mean a loose piston pump, crankshaft or connecting rod in the compressor. Bubbling and hissing can indicate a refrigerant leak. Usually the louder the hissing, the worse the leak. Buzzing noises can mean that the motor is failing.
Air filter clogged with dust can cause wind noises from the indoor unit. Please make sure that the air inlet is not obstructed by any object . ▶ Air filter clogged with dust can cause wind noises from the indoor unit.
If It Sounds Too Loud, It Is Too Loud
Decibels are the unit of measurement for sound, abbreviated dB. Sounds at or below 70 dB are considered safe for our hearing. That's the sound of a normal conversation between two people.
Generally, exposure to sound levels above 85 dB is considered damaging to human hearing. That is why this is the most common maximum value allowed in industrial environments. For residential environments, the accepted decibel level is lower. Any noise exceeding 70 dB is considered disturbing.
The sound intensity greater than 85 dB is harmful to the human ear. Sound intensity of 120 dB is the upper limit of the threshold of hearing. Beyond this, is the threshold of pain that may cause damage to the ear and lead to hearing impairment.