Come ridurre il rumore del condizionatore d'aria per la pace e la tranquillità

Il suono del tuo condizionatore d'aria disturba il tuo comfort? Ti senti irritato di notte quando tutto ciò di cui hai bisogno è il silenzio per dormire bene la notte? Non preoccuparti. Non sei solo!

Molte persone trovano fastidioso l'aria condizionata ad alto volume e farebbero di tutto per dare un po' di sollievo alle loro orecchie.

E non è solo psicologico. Che tu ci creda o no, essere esposto a suoni forti giorno dopo giorno può danneggiare il tuo udito.

In questo articolo troverai metodi collaudati per calmare quel ronzio persistente che ti dà fastidio tutto il tempo.

Perché l'aria condizionata ad alto volume ti fa male?

Mentre alcuni potrebbero dire che preoccuparsi del suono del condizionatore d'aria è inutile, ci sono prove crescenti che rumori forti e persistenti possono danneggiare permanentemente l'udito.

Un forte rumore può danneggiare le cellule dell'orecchio interno. La parte peggiore è che il danno alla cellula dell'orecchio interno è solitamente permanente.

Ottantacinque decibel per otto ore è generalmente considerato il limite di sicurezza per l'uomo. All'aumentare del livello sonoro, il tempo di ascolto accettabile diminuisce.

Ad esempio, puoi ascoltare solo 100 decibel (il suono di un treno della metropolitana) per 15 minuti al giorno.

Le valutazioni dei decibel del condizionatore d'aria variano molto. Un nuovo AC molto silenzioso può produrre solo un suono di 25 decibel. Un tipico condizionatore d'aria di fascia bassa può creare un livello di rumore compreso tra 78 e 82 decibel. Anche se non molto alto, sentire questo livello sonoro per periodi più lunghi può danneggiare l'orecchio. Per questo motivo, è necessario adottare misure per ridurre al minimo i suoni indesiderati del condizionatore d'aria.

Suoni di routine del condizionatore d'aria rispetto a problemi di prestazioni

Il tuo condizionatore d'aria può produrre una varietà di suoni. Alcuni rumori possono indicare un problema di prestazioni più profondo. On the other hand, some air conditioner sounds (like airflow), while annoying, are perfectly harmless.

As a general rule, a steady blowing sound or a hum should not concern you much. However, if you hear any banging, whistling, or bubbling noises, it is time to call your HVAC technician.

Read more about disturbing air conditioner noises and how to fix them here.

Ideal Air Conditioner Sound Level

An average conversation produces a sound level anywhere between 40-60 decibels. This should feel same as quiet library sounds or like the sound of an electric toothbrush. Most people do not want their air conditioners to be louder than an average conversation. Thus, you should aim for your air conditioner sound level to be anywhere between 40-60 decibels at the most. A quiet air conditioner has a sound level below 40 decibels. As impossible as that sounds, there are air conditioners that only have a sound level of 19 decibels (equal to someone whispering from five feet away).

How to Decrease Air Conditioner Sound Level?

If your unit isn’t the quietest and you are looking to reduce its sound level, look no further.

Here are nine practical tips to reduce air conditioner sounds:

1. Choose the Optimal Location for Installation

If you are installing a new HVAC unit, consult a professional to pick the optimal location. For maximum sound reduction, have the contractor install it away from rooms and bedrooms you use frequently. Moreover, have it installed away from air ducts or narrow hallways. The sound will bounce off the walls and ducts, leading to sound amplification and echoing. Similarly, if you’re installing a mini-split, try to keep the condenser away from the windows.

2. Level Your Outdoor Condenser Pad

If your outdoor condenser pad is uneven or unsteady, it can cause a vibration whenever you turn on your air conditioner. This vibration can increase the sound level your air conditioner produces. Make sure your outdoor condenser pad is level and stable.

3. Use an AC Sound Blanket

A sound blanket is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce air conditioner sound immediately. Most brands provide information about which sound blanket fits over their condenser unit snugly. However, if you cannot find a corresponding AC sound blanket, you can go for a universal sound blanket.

There is a common misconception that using a sound blanket will somehow reduce the air conditioner’s efficiency or cause it to overheat. In reality, it is the opposite. Sound blankets encourage air circulation and insulate the condenser unit, helping it maintain a more consistent temperature.

4. Install Sound Barriers

You can create a sound barrier by installing a fence around the outdoor condenser unit. Installing any barrier around the condenser unit can muffle the sound coming from it. However, there are a few things you must consider.

Firstly, make sure the fence is of a material that is not prone to reverberation, preferably wood. Secondly, leave at least 2 feet of space around the condenser to guarantee adequate airflow. Lastly, wrap all sides of the fence with a suitable soundproofing material such as PVC or plastic vinyl film.

It won’t only help to reduce AC sound but also hide your outdoor unit outside.

5. Insulate Ducts

In addition to carrying the conditioned air, ducts also carry sound, spreading it from one room to the other. When you soundproof your ducts, unwanted noise is absorbed before it reaches you. Insulating your ducts can be invaluable for soundproofing and can also prevent energy losses through ducts. You can insulate your ducts with foil-faced fiberglass insulation for the best soundproofing.

6. Go Green!

To many people’s surprise, vegetation acts as a natural sound barrier. To reduce sound from your outdoor condenser unit, plant a few shrubs around it. Make sure that they are at a reasonable distance as leaves and twigs can block the condenser and negatively impact your air conditioner’s performance.

You can also place a few plants around the indoor unit as well. They should be far enough from the indoor unit to not block airflow. Some houseplants act as natural air purifiers, which make them a no-brainer for homeowners.

7. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Overly loud HVAC sounds can be caused by poor maintenance as well.

For example, if your fan blades are dirty and dull, they have poor aerodynamics, leading to higher sound levels. Similarly, if you have dirty air filters, your AC must work harder to cycle air, increasing noise.

Scheduling regular maintenance will go a long way in helping your AC perform at its quietest. This AC maintenance checklist will ensure your AC remains in top condition all year long.

8. Seal Gaps Around the Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners are often the loudest type of air conditioner. Most of the sounds coming from a window AC are due to gaps around the unit. These gaps allow sounds from the outside (such as those from the condenser) to enter the room.

Firstly, push on the AC unit to check if it is still tightly fitted into the frame. If it feels loose, look for any loosened screws and tighten them with a screwdriver. Then, cut one-inch thick strips of rigid foam insulation and fill them between the air conditioner and window edges.

9. Invest in a Modern Unit

All air conditioners will produce some sound; however, the older the unit, the louder it will be. Newer air conditioners are engineered to be as quiet as possible. When looking for a new unit, ductless air conditioners are worth considering. Ductless air conditioners are significantly less loud compared to other types of air conditioners. They also have higher EER and SEER ratings, so you will save a hefty amount on energy bills as well.

If you implement even half of these tips, there is no doubt that your air conditioner will be much quieter than before. Once your air conditioner sound is at a minimum, you will surely be able to enjoy a restful night’s sleep!