Air conditioner noise is one of the most common complaints from HVAC equipment owners. Floor or window air conditioners are noisier and there are less split systems. But the latter sometimes hum quite strongly. Can the noise be removed and what are its causes?
The fans are noisy
The noise of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner is most often associated with the operation of the compressor. And the noise of the indoor unit of the air conditioner - with a fan.
- 40% of noise is emitted by fans;
- 38% refrigeration circuit and refrigeration lines (not for all models);
- 22% of the noise is from the compressor.
The source of the noise also depends on the type of air conditioner:
- in monoblocks, the main noise comes from the fan of the heat exchanger and the compressor;
- in central systems, the main sources of noise in the external unit of the air conditioner are the fan and the transmission between the engine and the fan, it makes noise when the bearings are worn out or the equipment is poorly adjusted;
- in rooftop air conditioners, the source of noise is the compressor and the fans of the compressors and condensers.
As a rule, air makes noise when passing through the listed nodes.
Air conditioners for apartments or offices emit 25 - 50 decibels, depending on the capacity.
How to remove the noise of an air conditioner unit
To reduce the noise of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, you must:
- eliminate the source of noise;
- eliminate transmission paths of noise.
The first category includes the following measures:
- When installing, take into account the possibility of sound reflection from nearby structures;
- Remove the blockage from the radiator and fan of the outdoor unit. This is the first reason for the noise of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner;
- Repair or replace compressor if necessary.
The noise transmission of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be the brackets and stands on which the unit is held. To reduce vibration, special gaskets are used between the body and the bracket. As a rule, they are included in the kit for installing the air conditioner.
Another way of transmitting noise can be fastening adjacent to the metal reinforcement of the walls. This problem is common in houses with reinforced concrete walls. And there is only one way to eliminate it - moving the outdoor unit to the side or up.
In some cases, the noise of the indoor unit of the air conditioner can be eliminated by yourself. Sometimes it is quite easy to clean the air filters or tighten loose nuts. If, after opening the lid, you do not find anything suspicious, leave further actions to professionals.
