Whether your air conditioning system is new or old, the noise it produces can become a significant irritant. As summertime heats up in the Utica and Rochester area, your A/C unit may begin making noises that seem louder than usual.
Luckily, there are several steps you can take towards limiting air conditioner noise:
- Window units – The noise produced by window units is usually the result of air whistling or rattling through the A/C unit and into your window. If this is a problem, take the dimensions of your unit to a local sheet metal shop and have them fabricate a shield to direct airflow appropriately. Line it with a sound proof closed-cell foam and you are set.
- Roof mounted units – These large units move a lot of air and can be pretty noisy. Things you can do: Mount them on a concrete pad, install vibrational pads underneath to prevent the noise from transmitting through your roof, and/or build a sound barrier. If you build a physical sound barrier between the unit and the area in which the noise is a problem, test it first by using plywood to make sure your work will be worth your efforts. If so, construct a barrier and line it with soundproof closed-cell foam for maximum soundproofing.
- Attic units – You can hang your attic unit from specially-designed vibrational mounts, rather than having the unit noise transmit through attic floor/ceiling. A sound barrier, like the one above, can also be constructed to help in limiting air conditioner noise.
- Ducts and air vents – Sometimes A/C ducts and vents are the perpetrators. Make sure ducts are sealed properly and insulated with soundproof foam. Use a flexible coupling between the duct and the unit to reduce noise transmission. Keep vents clean and clear of debris which can vibrate and/or rattle.
- Clean fans – Dirty fans can contribute to noise as well, so keep them clean and balanced.
If these simple fixes don’t do the trick, it may signal that something is wrong with the unit, requiring attention from a licensed professional. Contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling for all of your Metro-Detroit-area HVAC needs. We’ve provided peace to our customers for more than 60 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about limiting air conditioner noise and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.
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