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. This should sound normal and not be alarming.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A noise that sounds like a helicopter trying to take off or a loud whine when you turn on the AC indicates that your compressor bearings need replacing.
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.
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.
Banging, thumping and rattling – These sounds are usually an indicator of something coming loose in the motor or blower. If the banging gets loud, it probably means that whatever was loose has now broken off. Humming or vibrating – This could mean that there are loose parts, or the motor is out of balance.
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.
If the fan blades in your HVAC system are loose or damaged, they can cause the fan to wobble or vibrate, leading to a noticeable racket. In some cases, loose or damaged blades can even hit the sides of the unit, causing a loud banging sound. Call an HVAC technician to get the blades tightened or replaced.
It's recommended that you service your home air conditioning system at least once every year. The same goes for your heating system.
The good news is, AC making loud noise or vibrating more intensely is a common complaint. And there are ways to easily fix them through a trained professional. It is also common for your compressor to make a little bit of noise. But if your AC is more noisy than normal, there might be a problem with your compressor.
A sure sign of a bad AC capacitor is a humming sound from within the access panel.
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.
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.
Currently, the 50-60 dB range is as quiet as an air conditioner can get.
Most units should operate between 50-70 dB and not be louder than a vacuum. A noisy outside unit can be irritating for you, but it can be bothersome to your neighbors.
Poor airflow is one of the most common HVAC problems. Common culprits of poor airflow include clogged air filters, obstructed condenser units, blocked vents, thermostat issues, refrigerant leaks, and dirty coils.
The first thing you'll want to do is check the thermostat. If you have air that's controlled by a thermostat, make sure a faulty thermostat isn't what's causing the problem. In some cases, the batteries may have died or the unit is malfunctioning. Reset the thermostat to see if that turns the AC unit back on.
A heating or cooling system is a significant investment, and it only makes sense to get as much use out of it as possible. In general, most HVAC systems will last 15 to 25 years, but depending on the type of system and other contributing factors, that estimate can be highly variable.
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.
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.