It's normal to hear a low, steady blowing or whooshing sound while your air conditioner is running. This is the sound of cool air being blown through your ducts and into your living spaces, and it should be quiet enough to fade into the background.
Normal sounds include a gentle hum or a soft whooshing of air. However, if the noise is unusually loud, disruptive, or includes rattling, banging, or whistling sounds, it could indicate a problem with the AC unit.
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.
On average, AC units today average around 35 dBA, with some machines even going as low as 22 dBA. Take the Serene Series 2 Wall Hung split system, for example. When its “Silent” mode is activated, the dBA levels go down to 24 dBA– barely louder than the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
The loudest part of an air conditioner is the compressor, which is the reason why portable ACs can be quite loud, getting as high as 55 dBA, since the compressor is part of the indoor unit. However, a modern split system residential air conditioner, housing the compressor in the outdoor unit, will be much quieter.
A low, steady blowing noise is normal for an air conditioner, as it continually blows cool air through the ducts and vents of your home. This noise should be quiet enough to disappear into the background.
Therefore, when talking about the interior noise of an air conditioning unit, depending on its capacity, 35 dB is a reasonable interior noise for a split type system. Now, for the exterior noise, it shouldn't be higher than 5 dB.
You should only hear a low, blowing sound as the system moves cool or warm air through your vents. This noise shouldn't be disruptive and will become more of a background noise as you lounge on the sofa or work at your desk.
Air compressor problems can cause serious discomfort in your home when left untreated. When you notice loud noises coming from your compressor, you must correct the problem before repair needs escalate to requiring an AC replacement.
Measurement of noise levels in an air conditioning system is done using a sound level meter. Sound levels of 45–55 dBA in an air conditioned room is something which can be called good. Controlling the noise - depends on which stage of the lifecycle of the AC you are at.
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.
A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.
This sound is due to an air conditioning mechanical problem. It can come from the outdoor and indoor units. Some of the usual culprits are faulty blades, blown fan motors, broken belts, and bad bearings. Switch off the unit right away and call an HVAC technician for repairs.
One of the most common causes of a noisy air conditioner is simply a collection of dust, dirt, and debris inside the machine. This happens from standard use. Clear out anything that shouldn't be there or might be getting caught in the fan or other parts of the machine and see if that helps clear up some of the noise.
The short answer is no, you can't hear electricity in the traditional sense. Electricity itself doesn't produce sound waves that our ears can pick up like music or voices. However, there are instances where you might perceive a humming or buzzing sound that seems to be associated with electricity.
High compressor pressure or refrigerant leak from the air conditioner. If your AC is making a hissing sound, it can be due to either high compressor pressure or a damaged leak in the refrigerant line. To ensure this, you first need to inspect the condenser unit for any blockages in the outdoor unit and surrounding area ...
While all air conditioners will make some sound, they shouldn't be loud.
If, on inspection, you hear chattering, whining, squealing, chirping, or rattling sounds coming from the AC compressor, it is time for AC service. Sometimes the commotion only erupts when you engage the AC switch. Some noises remain constant. Compressor noises result from either a faulty clutch or a seizing shaft.
Normal compressor noises include the following:
Clicking or Popping: this can be heard when the compressor turns on or off. 3. Gurgling or Bubbling: these sounds could come from the refrigerant flowing through the system, they are typically faint and intermittent.
In offices and commercial areas, where maintaining focus and productivity is vital, the recommended noise level is between 40 to 60 dB. In these settings, quieter air conditioners are preferred to create a pleasant and conducive working atmosphere. In hospitals and Libraries, the permitted noise levels are set to 40db.
The most important noise you'll hear from an air conditioner that indicates it's performing its job as normal is when the compressor in the condenser cabinet starts to hum. This signals the start of the air conditioner's cooling cycle.
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.
All you need is a sound meter, which can be purchased online or at a local hardware store. You may also be able to download a free app on your smartphone for measuring sound as well. Once you have a sound meter, just place it near the HVAC system and record the reading.
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.
Currently, the 50-60 dB range is as quiet as an air conditioner can get.