Air Conditioners are a gift from God in all types of weather or an amazingly clever piece of engineering. The wide-scale adoption of air conditioning has been increasing throughout the years, and with it, the technology used has come a long way.
But, there might be times we get annoyed by the presence of an AC unit in our abode. When there’s something wrong with it, which will be the case of most air conditioning units after a few years, it will have a constant humming or may even make any louder noise to catch your attention.
This article will explore why your AC unit makes noise and how to reduce air conditioner noise. We will also be exploring some of the most common reasons behind your noisy unit and learning how to block air conditioner noise.
8 Ways to Reduce Air Conditioning Noise
There can be many reasons why your Air Conditioner keeps making noise, but none of them are good enough to destroy the calm and quiet of your home. Even the acoustics of your home can be a problem.
There can be several problems, including the positioning of the AC unit, the electrical and mechanical faults of the appliance, etc. We’ll be looking at these problems one by one and discussing how to tackle them.
Air Gaps Around Your Conditioner
More often than not, the noise in your unit may have been from outside. There is always an inherent noise to such high-speed, high-power devices. But, when you wall-mount the conditioning unit, there are chances that some space has been left, which is where the noise comes in.
One of the major reasons for the noise coming in from the outside is that the frames of the air conditioning units are not meant to block sound. It falls on your shoulder to reinforce the frames with soundproofing material to block the sound.
One way to achieve soundproofing is by covering the sides of the unit with insulating foam of adequate thickness. This is very effective and can be easily removed. Or, you can cut out a piece of acrylic sheet of accurate dimensions and plug it against the wall of your AC unit.
Your Air Filter Is Dirty
If your AC has been there for you the past couple of years, it is time you were there for it too. Over the years, Air Conditioners tend to accumulate dust inside the filter. There are chances of condensation to form ice inside the conditioner, which is not suitable for the air conditioner.
The ice formation may and will block the airflow, which might cause the constant groaning by your air conditioner. It doesn’t necessarily need to be dust. The air filters can also be damaged faster if you smoke or have pets. You can tackle this by changing the filters frequently. This will ensure you breathe in cleaner air and your air conditioner makes no noise.
Your Air Duct is Blocked or Damaged
You get the idea. Air ducts getting damaged are normal and can happen due to improper installation or during maintenance. When the air duct is damaged, it takes more power and higher strain for the motor to get the air through. It can also get damaged if the air duct is not compatible with your existing Air Conditioner.
It is recommended that your Air Conditioner be checked upon every once in a while to ensure it is in prime condition. It not only reduces the sound drastically, but it also provides maximum efficiency, and you can save up on the bills.
The motor Isn’t Lubricated Enough.
This is natural as AC units constantly work for years, and this can cause the lubrication to dry up or leak during the years of service. This is more likely to occur in older Air Conditioners. It is not recommended that you go in and replace it yourselves as the air conditioner is a high power device. It is better to contact a professional with experience in the field to check the system and apply the necessary fixes.
Lack of Proper Soundproofing
That’s right! Maybe, it isn’t the problem with the Air Conditioner after all. Maybe, it’s because you don’t have proper soundproofing to block out the humming noise of the AC unit. This can be solved via easy methods and few investments.
You can always opt for a compressor blanket. Compressor blankets are amazing products specifically designed to dampen the sound of the compressor, and it attenuates the constant sound to a large extent. You can also go green and plant shrubs, foliage, etc., to reduce or even block the sound of your Air Conditioner. But, make sure to leave spacing for proper ventilation to occur.
Several other soundproofing solutions are available inside your home, and outside it to ensure that the sound doesn’t bother you. Be sure to explore options before deciding on one.
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A Change of Location May Be Nice
A lot of thought needs to be put into deciding the optimum spot for your HVAC system. A workaround is to show a builder who knows the architecture of your home, and he can make the decisions for you. Always make sure to avoid narrow corridors for the location of main ducts. This is because narrow corridors have less soundproofing materials, and the sound is sure to reverberate and reach more distance.
A Lot Of Electrical Issues
ACs are high-powered electrical devices, and they do have a lot of electrical components. Electrical faults are normal in the long term and most times, replacing the components is sufficient to keep it going. Some of the more common electrical issues around Air Conditioners include:
- The fan blade can get bent due to improper alignment or improper screwing after maintenance. The fan blade can hit on the walls of the casing or other objects, and this can cause it to bend.
- Air Filters can also make noise if not properly cleaned.
- There can be cases where the refrigerant is leaking, and it can even lead to short circuits of the system. You can identify the leak in the refrigerant if you consistently notice a decrease in the cooling ability of your AC.
- A capacitor or any improper or loose connections can even set off precautionary beeping sound in the air conditioner unit.
- The compressor may be out of order and can produce screeching sounds during the process.
These problems are due to machine faults, and hence it is advised to consult a professional to check on them and replace the faulty part. You can conduct regular maintenance to avoid defective components of the AC unit.
If Nothing Else Worked
If nothing above works and the costs of repairing your old AC unit are very high, you can consider buying a new Air conditioner. It may be hard to accept, but there are limitations to the lifespan of a high-powered electric device. Regular maintenance can prolong it to an extent, but issues with your air conditioning are inevitable. If your Air conditioner is over 20 years old, it doesn’t make sense to frequently repair it, only to do it again in a few weeks.
If you have decided on buying a new air conditioner, look for an AC unit suitable for your home and take good care of it.
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Final Thoughts
It is unthinkable for many to live without an Air Conditioner, but if you have a noisy air conditioner, it will affect your mood and mental state. It will frequently cost you during maintenance and constant repairs. Even a mispositioned AC can be frustrating at times.
This article has tried to cover the most common reason why your AC might be making noises constantly and what you can do to reduce air conditioner noise. You can diagnose the problem and apply the fixes mentioned above accordingly.
It is not recommended for you to open the air conditioner unit and go tinkering at it. You should always call a professional for maintenance and repairs. If you identify a problem, try to fix it as soon as possible, as it can lead to more complications and, finally, higher repair costs.
If you fail to block air conditioner noise and the repair costs are high, it is time for you to let go and purchase a new one. Keep in mind that the technology has changed quite a bit since you last bought an AC system. Be sure to explore all options and find the perfect AC according to your needs and budget.