Here are the most practical air conditioner sound proofing methods that are cheap and easy to implement
An AC air conditioner is the perfect appliance for cooling your room’s atmosphere during summers. Without a doubt, it prolongs your comfortable stay in a house.
But this cooling unit also comes with noise as it runs – the constant humming and buzzing. And that’s completely normal and expected.
Although for a quiet-loving person, this would be a nuisance. The problem is you want to enjoy a cool environment with less heat and quiet.
Noise in the air conditioner is particularly a common problem with the old-type units. If you have one, you might start thinking about acquiring a new quieter release.
However, before considering a new system, you could embark on air conditioner sound proofing on this old version. Just save your money for now.
I am going to enlist a variety of practical tips on how to soundproof an air conditioner and experience a quiet environment inside your home.
Your Air Conditioner Sound and What It Might Mean.
As usual, any problem requires a diagnosis to understand where it started. And in this case, you will certainly have to find the reasons why your air conditioner is raising the rackets.
First off, every air conditioner produces sound. So this is a normal thing except until certain levels.
Let’s have a quick glimpse into some of these issues.
1. Loud Compressor
The first part you want to give an urgent visit is the compressor. The very first suspect actually.
It turns out that it’s the compressor that plays a huge part in the whole system. It does help to cool the fluid or refrigerant in the system before this is released out into the atmosphere for a cooling sensation.
A faulty compressor cannot “hide its feelings”. So, it will just make a loud noise to alert you that things aren’t well and fine.
It could be that the compressor internal components –which include bearings – have failed to work normally. So check if the bearing is worn out or damaged and replace accordingly.
Sometimes the belt could be under pressure that it may produce squeals. Replace accordingly.
To solve this situation, always ensure that the compressor is maintained on a regular basis. Contact a technician to repair any faults.
2. Old Fan Belt
The other reason for continuous noise is an old fan belt. Squeals on the unit are prompted by an aging fan belt which isn’t properly aligned.
Also, keep in mind that there’s expansion and contraction of the belt as temperatures keep changing. The structure of the belt will ultimately be affected, resulting in noise.
3. Problem Air Filter
The filter configured to take in a specific volume of air can create noise if it pulls in more air than expected. Sometimes the worst can happen and the filter is sucked into the ductwork.
Again a dirty filter can lead to slamming noise. Of course due to the fact that the filter will be struggling to take in air through a limited inlet.
Yet the system will still keep drawing in more air. The outcome is consistent slamming noise.
To avoid this, change the filters and also clean them on a regular basis.
4. Loose Parts
If some parts are loose, you can rest assured that noise is inevitable. Buzzing is a common phenomenon when fixed parts of the system aren’t tightly screwed on to the structure.
So what happens is that the vibrations increase and this already could spell a serious noise issue. You will have to ensure that these parts well screwed in their place.
5. Dirty Blower
A dirty blower or fan means that the AC system would force things up to have the air-cooled. This obviously results in a buzzing noise.
Related post: How to Reduce Refrigerator Noise
Here’s How to Reduce Noise from Outside Air Conditioner.
Now that you know why your system is making noise, let’s discuss in-depth on the methods of how to combat this problem noise.
1. Cover the System with a Soundproof Blanket
The first thing you can try is the use of an air conditioner noise reduction blanket. This blanket comes with noise-reducing qualities.
It’s thick but also well-ventilated to ensure that even after covering the unit, things don’t worsen up because there’s a lot of heat accumulation.
The blanket, basically, creates a barrier between the air conditioner and the atmosphere. Interestingly, this method can eliminate 40 percent of noise.
The design of these acoustical blankets incorporates hooks and loops for easy installation. Meaning that you won’t have to hassle to cover them over.
The blankets tend to be one-size-fits-all. Hence, they should fit all sizes of the AC system units.
Try this inexpensive and easy option Brinmar SBUHD Universal-Fit that has been positively lauded online. It’s claimed by the manufacturers that this blanket can fit over 500 different models of compressors.
2. Install a Fence
Installing a fence is a practical method that requires great commitment. It’s going to need a lot of effort from your side.
But a fence around ac unit is all you need to have the indoors of your house quiet and peaceful. The fence acts a barrier on all sides of the air conditioner.
If you have the unit in between just two walls only, the sound would be magnified and it would bounce off the walls.
You may decide to make a wooden bamboo fence. Or probably use the mass loaded vinyl material for a more improved version – both are still okay.
The sound waves will keep hitting against the fence and in the process, the noise is decreased.
When building the fence, leave a few inches of space from the conditioner. This is to ensure that there is proper airflow around the appliance.
Around the fence, it wouldn’t harm planting shrubbery or plants. The idea is to completely quiet the air conditioner and any doable method can really help.
3. Create a Good Surface for the Air Conditioner
Be creative and take any chance to reduce the given type of noise. Air conditioner sound proofing is about coming up with simple, yet great ideas.
Which is why I think the idea of making a platform or surface to place the appliance is a nice one.
You will notice that some noise is due to vibration. And this happens because the air conditioner has never been placed on a reliable platform.
If, for example, the ground is uneven, you’ll hear and feel more of the vibrations. Building an even surface would make the appliance to be steady even when it’s in operation.
Now, you can get the foam to add to this surface and experience a difference this time around. Remember this method is best for use to prevent vibrations.
You have to find out ways to deal with other forms of noise.
4. Change the Location
Another way on how to make air conditioner quiet is simply by changing the location of the appliance from one point to the next. Although it would be better to have this equipment positioned in a place far away from specific rooms during the installation of the HVAC system.
But now that’s happened, just remove it where it is currently. Take it elsewhere from the bedrooms, dining rooms and the living room.
This can reduce noise significantly. The little trick remains that the further you place it, the quieter it gets around your home.
What you need to avoid religiously is placing the air conditioner in the corner even after removing it from its current location. Else, you will never withstand the echoes.
5. Neutralize the Dripping Water Noise
It’s pretty obvious that the noise of water dripping from the air conditioner can be irritating. Especially if you want to have the fresh air coming from nature as it is – and you open the window.
But even so, you can the quiet air conditioner unit with things poised in such state. You can stop this water from flapping the ground.
Just have a hose and a bottle and attach the hose to that of the air conditioner. The other end should go inside the bottle.
What happens here is that the water that was dripping directly on the ground will now be channeled via the hose into the bottle.
There you go. No water slapping the ground. Open the window and enjoy the outside nature.
6. Apply a Sound Blanket on the Compressor
Where the problem is with the compressor, you will need to handle it specifically. Using an air conditioner compressor sound blanket is not uncommon.
This blanket is usually rubberized and can block sound.
Once you have the blanket, you will be required to open the entire unit to access the compressor and cover it. There’s nothing to worry about heat accumulating in the compressor.
The cooling system does enough to cool down the compressor part so that the blanket won’t burn up. Cover every part of the compressor adequately to be guaranteed of any success for the effort.
You may be uncomfortable doing this job yourself, call a technician to do it for you. Although it’s an expense invited.
7. Place an Acoustic Sound Barrier Behind the AC
Here I will talk about the quiet fence which is a great product you can use as a sound barrier. The fitment can be placed behind the window AC or outdoor compressor.
This stops noise from escaping to cause a disturbance in the neighborhood. Don’t install the product very close or don’t put against the AC as this would block prevent proper airflow.
To install this fence properly, don’t leave it freestanding. Rather, fix this on the ground using garden fence stakes like these.
Make use of the pre-drilled holes available on the Quiet fence to have the stakes holding the fence in the ground.
The quiet fence is thought to be an expensive venture. But if you can afford the associated costs, you can go ahead and make it count.
8. Soundproof Your Home
Your goal may be to have a quiet interior of your home. If this is it, then the best thing to do is soundproof your home.
The good thing is that air conditioners are placed outdoors. So soundproofing the home would eliminate any outside noise including that from your buzzing air conditioner.
Soundproof your walls, your door, and windows. Beware that this can introduce a lot of costs in the budget.
To avoid this, try soundproofing only the sides of the house where noise from the air conditioner is felt the most. Leave other parts unless you are interested in doing the entire home.
9. Regular Maintenance of the Air Conditioner
A simple trick to help reduce the noisy air conditioner is by proper maintenance. Maintenance prolongs the life of a machine, an appliance among other things.
You’ve got to replace worn-out compressor units, air filters, and blowers. Otherwise, the whole system will use force and a lot of power to perform its function – hence, leading to unusual sounds.
So, the bottom line is to find out all the malfunctioning parts and repair or replace them. There will be less noise.
Don’t forget to clean the dusted parts. You know what dust can do.
10. Purchase a New Unit
Air conditioner sound barriers and other methods can fail. This is the point to make the ultimate decision – get a new unit.
Definitely, I advise that you put to the task all other recommendations as stated in the guide. But when worse remains worse or turns into worst, it’s possible that the entire system is old and weary.
There is no reason why it shouldn’t be replaced entirely.
The only disadvantage here is that buying a new AC air conditioner requires a good budget. Breaking the bank is not farfetched.
Final Words
Air conditioner sound proofing methods I have talked about are not going to require a lot of bucks. Except number ten which, as you see, is about replacing the whole air conditioner unit.
Otherwise, the rests are simple products and processes that can be fulfilled without too much hassle. Ensure that you try out all of them.
If they fail, then just buy another air conditioner. It’s an investment anyway.
