Living in an apartment, everything just feels closer together. Your indoor or outdoor air conditioning (AC) unit is one of those things that can disturb your sleep.
How to reduce AC noise in apartment life?
That depends on whether you are talking about the indoor unit that distributes cool air, or the outdoor unit (compressor) that plays a key role in air cooling.
In this article, we will offer practical ways to reduce noise from both indoor and outdoor AC units.
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Reduce noise from indoor AC unit
For many people, it’s the indoor AC unit that can make it harder to get to sleep.
You sleep lightly, but struggle to make it to the REM stage that is important to brain development and emotional processing.
Did you know – fan noise is thought by some to be relaxing and improve sleep. However, research has found that AC noise has no positive impact on sleep.
Conversely, there are many reports of an indoor AC unit disturbing sleep. Is this you? Read the following ways to reduce noise:
Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance
If your AC unit is working as it should, it will work at its quietest.
The importance of regular maintenance by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional can’t be stressed enough.
If your indoor AC unit is louder than it should be, this could be an indication of an underlying issue. Solve the issue, and the noise problem will go away.
A buzzing or rattling sound is certainly cause for concern. You should get this checked out immediately. Read this article on Air Conditioner Making Buzzing Noise? Here’s Why and How to Fix
Clean the air filters
AC noise can increase when your air filters are clogged.
You might need to unclog or replace the filters as often as once every 60 to 90 days. This is an easy job and one you can do without the help of a professional (assuming you can reach the unit with the help of a step ladder or chair).
The filters are located behind the cover of most units. Just remove the front cover, take them out, and clean them under the shower or tap. Then dry them.
If the filters have become too clogged with dust or damaged, you may need to replace them.
Adjust the fan speed
If you like the cool breeze that your AC shoots out, that could be the reason for the noise.
The primary function of AC units is to cool the air, but they also offer a fan function. If you have the fan set to full power, it could be noisy.
Take the fan noise down to medium, or if you can do without it, turn it off entirely. You may wish to buy a quiet floor fan that does the same job while producing less noise.
Reducing fan speed and only using the fan function when you have to is a sure-fire way to reduce noise.
Add sound-dampening materials around the unit
Sound dampening is a way of reducing sound waves’ vibrational energy through a structure.
If the noise coming from your AC unit is partly caused by vibrations into the wall or ceiling, try sound dampening materials on the walls and ceiling around it.
Good solutions include:
- acoustic foam and other sound absorbing materials
- heavy drapes
- acoustic caulk (caulk that offers acoustic insulation – look for a sealant that is designed specifically to dampen vibrational energy)
Try installing these sound dampening solutions adjacent to the AC unit, where they can help to muffle the AC noises.
Upgrade to a quiet air conditioner
Some air conditioners are louder than others.
Air conditioners shouldn’t operate much higher than 55 decibels (dB). That’s quieter than a washing machine or blender, but louder than a kettle or fridge.
If your AC unit is loud in general, consider upgrading to a quiet air conditioner. Look for one of the latest ductless mini split systems, as these are generally quieter. Their low noise level is low thanks to an absence of ductwork (tubes or passages that remove and deliver air).
Wear earplugs
If you have a louder AC unit that is working fine but disrupting your sleep, you might not have the budget for a new one.
In this case, consider wearing earplugs at night. That way, you can enjoy a cool bedroom for sleeping, while not being disturbed by the noise.
You can find easy-to-use, soft foam earplugs. You roll them up and insert them into your ear, where they expand and block sound vibrations.
If you’re in the United States, look for earplugs that are manufactured to meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1910.95 standard for noise exposure.
Reduce noise from outdoor AC unit (compressor)
Maybe it’s the outdoor unit of your AC system – also known as the compressor – that is causing you noise issues.
In apartment buildings, compressors are typically attached to the wall outside, or next to balconies. If the unit is near to the windows of a room, you may be able to hear it.
If that’s the case, consider these solutions:
Ensure the unit is level
Is your compressor unit leveled properly?
If you haven’t got all the feet set evenly on the ground, this can lead to vibrations and noise.
You or an HVAC professional can use a spirit tool (a tool for leveling) to ensure that all sides of the compressor are even. Then make adjustments until the unit is completely flat, minimizing vibrations.
Install vibration pads
If the feet of your compressor are level but it is still making a racquet, it might be due to vibrations.
Anti-vibration pads – which are small pads (often rubber) that sit under the feet of the AC unit – do the job of absorbing vibrations and preventing them from going through the wall or floor. They act as a buffer between the AC unit and the surface it is located on.
Anti-vibration pads are fairly simple to install. After making sure your AC is switched off first, just pop them under each foot. If you are unfamiliar with the compressor or feel unsure, an HVAC professional can do this for you.
They usually come in packs of four, and some are designed specifically for AC compressors. Search for ‘air compressor isolation pads’ online.
Use an acoustic AC blanket
Acoustic AC blankets are designed to fit over compressors, wrapping them and reducing noise levels by around 40%.
These compressor blankets are made from soundproofing materials such as rubber, fiberglass, vinyl and foam.
They are available in various sizes, meaning you can choose a size that fits perfectly inside the cabinet that holds your AC compressor.
Compressor blankets are good alternatives to rudimentary methods such as wrapping your unit in a moving blanket or other type of soundproofing material. They are designed just for this task, so you can rely on them to be safe. They might increase the operating temperature of the unit slightly.
Check your AC muffler
An AC muffler is a component found in AC systems.
Its job is to keep noise to a minimum and reduce vibrations, so you’ll need it working properly.
The muffler looks a bit like a little tank, and is mounted to the pipe that extends from a discharge port on the compressor to the heat exchanger indoors.
An HVAC professional will be able to tell if the muffler is doing its job of subduing the pulsation noise of an AC system. If the muffler isn’t working properly, you might hear all manner of sounds, from clanging to hissing and buzzing.
Did you know? The AC muffler also reduces vibrations, and this is important for slowing the wear and tear of various AC parts.
Keep plants in check
In apartments and condos, outdoor AC compressor units often have to share space with balconies and decorative plants.
From box plants to hanging plants, small trees, and full-on trellises – you should ensure that these shrubs do not overgrow and get tangled with the AC system. Even if a little of the airflow is blocked, your AC system will need to work harder, and this can lead to increased noise.
Prune your plants and ensure no branches or leaves get in the way of the compressor, or grow around it.
Install duct liners
What if the noise that’s disturbing you emanates from neither the indoor nor outdoor AC unit.
This would mean it is coming from the ductwork – that is, the pipes that connect the outdoor AC compressor to the indoor unit.
Duct liners are insulation materials that cover the surfaces of the ducts, soundproofing the pipes to a degree. They often have a cotton or foam core, with foil backing.
This product is readily available online, and will also minimize vibrations through your ductwork. The material typically has a Class A fire rating, and will be easy for an HVAC professional to install.
Top tip – look for double-sided duct liners, as they prevents cotton from being blown into your room when the AC is on.
Noisy aircon FAQs
Do all AC units make noise?
Yes, all AC units – both indoor units and outdoor compressor units – will make some degree of noise. However, some units, especially ductless mini split systems, are quieter.
You should also check if there is a quiet function on your AC remote control. This can sometimes be called a ‘silent’ or ‘noise reduction’ button.
When does my AC unit need replacing?
If your AC unit is unusually loud, you should have it checked by an AC professional. In many cases, the issue can be fixed.
However, if the issue is irreparable, or if your AC unit is over 10 years old, a replacement may be the best option. One advantage of replacing your AC unit is that newer air conditioners tend to be quieter.
Can my landlord help to reduce AC noise?
For those renting a condo, your landlord may help you to reduce AC unit noise in apartment. Your landlord is obligated to look into any noises that might indicate a performance issue. And if the loud AC unit is old, they may agree to replacing it.
A loud AC compressor may be disturbing your neighbors as well as you. This is another reason a landlord may be able to help implement solutions such as an acoustic AC blanket or anti-vibration pads.
