How To Block Air Conditioner Noise? Explained
Air conditioner noise can be very frustrating, especially if it’s located near the bedroom or living space. Not only can it disrupt our sleep or concetration, but it can also lower our overall quality of life. However, there are several ways to block air conditioner noise and enjoy a peaceful home environment. In this article, we’ll talk about how to do this and what impacts the AC noise. So, let’s start!
So How to Block Air Conditioner Noise? Air conditioner noise can be blocked by installing a soundproof blanket, adding soundproof curtains, building a fence around AC, or by soundproofing your house. Also, you can reduce air conditioner noise by buying a new AC unit or by placing the air conditioner in the right spot in your house.
A noisy air conditioner can be annoying, especially when you just want to keep your home cool. But don’t worry, this problem has been around for a while, and there are ways to fix it. Stay with us so we can explain in more detail what you need to do to silence your AC unit.
5 Ways To Block Air Conditioner Noise
If your air conditioner makes a lot of noise, don’t worry! There are things you can do to make it quieter. Take a look at these five ways:
- Install a soundproof blanket
- Build a fence around it
- Make your house soundproof
- Put the air conditioner in the right spot in your home
- Buy a new and quiet air conditioner model
Related Article: Can You Soundproof A Room That is Already Built?
Reasons Why Air Conditioners Are Noisy
It’s important to understand why air conditioners make noise before trying to fix it. That way, you’ll better understand what you need to do. Here are some of the reasons why your air conditioner makes noise:
- Age: Older AC models are much noisier than new ones. That’s because manufacturers are finding new ways to make them quieter by using soundproofing materials. Even if you have an older AC model that still works, it might be better to get a new one.
- Loose parts: As the AC unit is made of many smaller components, if some of them is loose, it can create more noise than usual. If this is the case, then you must repair that loosened part.
- Worn-out compressor: The worn-out compressor is another reason why the AC unit is noisier than usual. Check if the AC compressor needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Regular Maintenance: Dirty air conditioners make much more noise than usual. Therefore, regular maintenance of air conditioners is very important for them to work properly, which also affects the noise.
Tip! If your air conditioner is making too much noise, it’s a good idea to call a professional to check it.
But sometimes, air conditioners are just normally loud. In that case, what can you do to block the noise? Here are some tips that you can use to reduce or block AC noise.
Tips to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise
There are two parts to making an air conditioner quieter: before you install it and after you install it. If you can control both parts, you can make it a lot quieter. If you can only control one part, you can still reduce a lot of noise from your AC unit.
Here we will introduce some tips you can do if you haven’t already installed an air conditioner unit in your home. Be sure to follow these steps:
- Install AC Away From Bedroom & Living Room: If possible, install your AC unit far away from the bedroom or living room. That way, you’ll significantly reduce the noise in your house while the air conditioner is turned on.
- Avoid Narrow Hall: Placing an air conditioner in a narrow hall will increase the noise because the sound will bounce off the walls, which you definitely want to avoid. Therefore, try to avoid narrow halls.
- Avoid Installation Near Doors & Windows: Installing an AC unit near the window or door can also increase the noise in your room. Therefore, keep your AC unit away from doors and windows to reduce air conditioner noise.
- Buy A New AC Unit: If you have an older air conditioner model that is very loud, you don’t have many options to turn it down. What you can do is to buy a new model, which is also eco-friendly and thus you will save energy.
Related Article: How To Quiet A Noisy Air Conditioner? 9 Easy Ways
How to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise
Even if your air conditioner is still making noise after you install it in the right place, there are still ways to make it quieter. Here is what you can do:
1. Install a Soundproofing Blanket
If you want to block and reduce the noise of your air conditioner, then we suggest you use a sound blanket. Apart from this being an efficient way to reduce the noise of AC, it is also cost-effective. You only need to pay attention to choosing a sound blanket that matches your AC unit.
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After buying a sound blanket, just cover your air conditioner with it, and the noise will be reduced immediately. Another benefit of using a sound blanket is that it will protect your AC unit from overheating.
Related Article: How Do I Block Noise On A Shared Wall?
2. Install a Fence Around AC
Adding a fence around the air conditioner is a great way to create a sound barrier. Having a sound barrier around your air conditioner will significantly reduce its noise. Don’t doubt it! However, choosing a good soundproofing material that will dampen the sound is also very important. Materials that are good for this are wood or vinyl.
Related Article: Is There a Device That Can Block Sound?
Here is a great video that shows how to do this:
Tip! When installing the fence, it is important that it is at least 3 feet away from the air conditioner. This spacing will let enough air flow through to keep the unit from getting too hot. You’ll also want to make sure there are no spaces between the fence boards. This will reduce sound to go through.
Air Conditioner Noise Reduction Test:
3 feet in front of the AC Unit:
- Before installing a fence: 100.5 dB
- After installing a fence: 69.6 dB
- Noise reduction result: 30.6 dB
Related Article: How To Quiet A Noisy Attic Fan? 7 Easy Ways
3. Soundproof A House
If adding a sound blanket and installing a fence didn’t help you, then the last thing you can do is soundproof your house. Soundproofing your house will help you reduce the noise the air conditioner makes. Although this is the most expensive option possible, it will definetly work.
Soundproofing Materials To Use To Reduce AC Noise
The best way to reduce the noise of the air conditioner is to soundproof a room. There are a lot of ways how you can do this. Although there are quite a few ways you can do this, we will take the most effective and simplest to apply:
- MLV Barriers: Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) Barrier is a great way to block the sound waves of your AC unit. The great thing about MLVs is that they can be placed around pipes, on or inside walls, and on AC enclosures. They will soundproof your air conditioner and reduce noise.
- Acoustic Caulk: Acoustic caulk is another method that can be used to soundproof a home from an AC unit. However, this is only recommended if you have minor cracks.
- Acoustic Quilts: This material is great when it comes to absorbing sound. Another benefit is that it is flexible and can be applied in different situations. It is a cost-effective solution to soundproof your air conditioner.
Related Article: 7 Ways to Quiet A Noisy Refrigerator Compressor
Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance
Your air conditioner needs to be cleaned and maintained every year so it can work properly. When the air conditioner is working properly, the noise is also much quieter. By doing regular maintenance, you can save money on your electricity bill because cooling and heating take up 50% of home energy.
Final Thoughts
Having a noisy air conditioner in your home can be realy frustrating, but there are ways to block its noise or at least reduce it. As mentioned in this article, you can try different solutions, like getting a new air conditioner, putting it far from your bedroom, using a special blanket or fence to block the noise, or even making your house soundproof so the noise can’t get inside.
Combining these methods makes it possible to effectively reduce the noise produced by air conditioners and enjoy a comfortable home environment. I hope that this article has helped you.
