Summer’s here, and with it come steamy days, mild nights, and plenty of fun in the sun. For those of us who don’t revel in the warmth of summer, we look forward to the cool comfort that an air conditioner can bring to your home.
How is your AC running these days? Is it cool and efficient, quiet, and unassuming? Or do you have a noisy air conditioner that announces its workload by grinding and wheezing its way through the day? Cooling your home should not involve disturbing the peace for you or your neighbors; you need to keep your AC running at acceptable decibel levels in order to keep the peace. Most local sound laws mandate that an acceptable sound level for an appliance such as an air conditioner should be between 70 and 75 decibels; anything more than that could land you in some hot water.
Why is my air conditioner so noisy?
If you think that your noisy air conditioner is pumping out a bit too much personality, it’s time to do some troubleshooting and see where the problem lies. When your system is running efficiently, it should be relatively quiet, save for some gentle humming when the unit kicks on and off.
If excessive noise seems to be coming from inside your home, it could be due to something obstructing airflow in your ductwork. Calling in a professional HVAC technician to diagnose the origin of the noise and determine if there is a blockage is the next course of action for a cool and quiet home once more.
Of course, there may also be a problem with the outside unit. Depending on the issue, you may hear a number of noises:
1. Squealing
Squealing means that there is too much pressure built up on the inside of your system; if it is not attended to and the pressure released, it could result in breakdown of your unit. Have your unit inspected to see what the cause of the pressure buildup is.
2. Hissing
Hissing means there is likely a refrigerant leak inside or around your external unit. Refrigerant is dangerous to humans; only a qualified professional should take care of any leaks using proper protective gear and equipment.
3. Buzzing
Buzzing in your unit is most likely an electrical issue involving the wiring, fan, or other electrical components. Electrical malfunction can be an extremely dangerous situation with your unit; have a technician inspect your unit to properly diagnose and repair compromised parts as soon as possible.
How to quiet an air conditioner
While you cannot change the basic function of your unit, you can strategically manage aspects of location and additions of a few other components to effectively quiet an air conditioner. Follow these tips for quiet cooling, all summer long:
1. Location, location
If you are installing a new unit in or around your home, choose the location of the fan and external components carefully; place them away from bedrooms and other rooms needing quiet time, and position them if you can where the ductwork inside your home is wide and inviting, as this will work to reduce pressure when cool air enters your home.
2. Consider the use of a noise blanket
Have your technician install a noise blanket around the compressor of your unit; this will eliminate and reduce noise without compromising its efficiency.
3. Install noise barriers around your unit
Just as noise barriers are installed between residential areas and high traffic roads, you can install noise barriers near and around your air conditioner to reduce noise as it enters your home. A well-placed wood fence around your unit absorbs sound well and provides a beautiful barrier between your mechanical unit and your home. Please be mindful of air conditioning installation; if it is done incorrectly it can amplify and direct sound toward your home. Vegetation should be regularly pruned and removed from this area, as it can block airways in and around your AC, making it work harder to deliver the same standard of cool.
4. Maintain your AC on a regular basis
Clogged components, low freon, and damaged casings can all compromise your air conditioner’s ability to cool efficiently. A well-maintained AC will operate more efficiently and thus, more quietly than one that is in a state of disrepair. Schedule seasonal maintenance on your air conditioner and all of its components to ensure efficient, quiet cooling when you need it.
Have a comfortable summer!
With these simple and effective tips for quieting your AC, you have only to make a call to CoolPro Atlanta to see how you can improve the condition of your unit and add elements that quiet and help it to work more efficiently. Have a cool and comfortable summer!
