Measuring and Reducing Air Conditioning Noise

Part of air conditioner usage is the noise that comes with it. Even if you buy a brand new unit, you’ll notice that they still make noise, and during its lifetime, the noise can change, become louder, but never completely disappear.

Measuring and Reducing Air Conditioning Noise

Here’s how you can measure and reduce the noise from your air conditioning unit.

How Is AC Noise Measured?

Any noise is measured using dB or decibels. This means that someone’s voice, the bark of a dog, or the roar of a jet engine have decibel measurements. Usually, someone’s voice is around 40 to 60 decibels while a gunshot can reach up to 140 decibels. A small, normal air conditioner usually emits 37 decibels but this can go up to 82 decibels if the model is bigger or older.

When you turn on your unit for the first time, you get familiar with how it sounds and eventually know it’s running well if it sounds like that. When something clicks or sounds different, you can assume that something’s wrong.

What Are the Causes of AC Noise?

Noise from your AC could happen because it hasn’t been cleaned. A cleaning service and checkup from a professional can fix this.

Meanwhile, debris or even small animals could be caught in the unit, which could be interfering with the fan or another mechanism. If you can see it from the vent, and it isn’t too far back, try to fish it out, but only if you don’t touch any of the other parts.

Mechanical problems with the coil, fan, or any other part of the unit can also be responsible for the sound. If this is the case, turn it off and call a professional HVAC technician immediately.

How Do You Reduce AC Noise?

Note that opening up your own AC unit is not recommended by any AC professional. Anderson Air Corps, who has been in the business for years, stresses that an air conditioning unit is a delicate machine and mishandling can lead to further damage. If you think that you have to open up your unit, call a professional first.

Peace and Quiet With Anderson Air Corps

Only turn to a professional who knows what your heating and cooling unit: Anderson Air Corps. Call us at (505) 855-9028 today if you’re in the Santa Fe area. You can also fill out our contact form to get started.