This article looks at the quietest central air conditioner on the market, picking out 5 of the best.
Central AC is an excellent option for cooling or heating large spaces such as homes or offices – but some systems sound like a plane is taking off!
You can read an explanation of how loud a central AC system should be below. Or alternatively, head straight to this list of the quietest central AC systems:
Skip to:
- Senville Central System Inverter Heat Pump
- Goodman 14 SEER Package Air Conditioner
- Cooper&Hunter Multi-Positional Air Handler
- MrCool Universal Series Central Heat & Air System
- Pioneer DYR Series Central Split Heat Pump System
How loud are central air conditioners?
Some air conditioners can get as loud as 75 to 85 decibels (dB).
If you are purchasing a central air conditioner for your home or workspace, that kind of noise level can be distracting.
The quietest central air conditioners you can find will have a noise level in the range of 45 to 60 dB.
To give you an idea, that’s about the same or lower than the noise level of a ceiling fan (55 dB), but quieter than a washing machine (60 to 70 dB) or blender (80 to 90 dB).
Seasonal energy efficiency ratio
Another number worth paying attention to is seasonal energy efficiency ratio, known as SEER for short.
What is SEER? – SEER is a formula used by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) as a measurement of the cooling efficiency provided by air conditioning units. It is calculated by dividing cooling output by energy consumed.
With this number, the higher the better. The higher the SEER rating of an AC system, the more money you can save and the more environmentally friendly it will be.
The SEER rating of each system is also included in this list, where the manufacturer has made this information available.
Before we look at each system closely, here are the key specifications:
Now let’s look at the quietest central air conditioners available online:
#1 – Senville Central System Inverter Heat Pump – 44dB
Super quiet air conditioner system even when working in extreme heat. Backed up by user reviews. Temperature control for large spaces.
With an impressive 44 dB noise level, the quietness of the Senville Central System Inverter Heat Pump is also backed up by user reviews.
Several customers who have installed this powerful air conditioning system – which can cool spaces as large as 2,000 square feet – have commented that it is super-quiet, even in extreme heat over 100°F.
A mini split set-up offers the latest variable speed compressor with inverter technology, This is worlds apart from inefficient, old-school air conditioner units. One Amazon customer said:
“Overall good quality machine. Very quiet and cooling well in this 100 degree weather.”
For colder seasons there is also reliable central air heating with inverter heat pump technology. Comforting warmth can be provided in conditions as frost as -22°F.
This is a quiet central AC system manufactured with premium materials, and that explains the 5 (parts) and 10 (compressor) year warranties.
Pros
- Very quiet operation
- Copes well with extreme temperatures
- Powerful
- 5 (parts) and 10 (compressor) year warranty
Cons
- Installation not included
#2 – Goodman 14 SEER Package Air Conditioner
Sitting at the lower end of the price scale for a central air conditioning system, the Goodman 14 SEER Package Air Conditioner is also among the least noisy.
The low noise level is thanks to the system’s quiet horizontal discharge. In case you were wondering, horizontal discharge can be quieter because the coils aren’t located near the compressor of the outdoor unit.
The dB level of the Goodman 14 SEER Package Air Conditioner wasn’t made available by the manufacturer, but reviewers online back up the fact it operates quietly.
This is a system that only provides cold air and does not do the job of heating, so might be of particular interest to those of you in hot parts of the country.
Although the SEER rating is included in the name of the system, 14 is moderate and nothing to write home about. You should also note that this quiet AC system is not for sale in California
Pros
- Quiet horizontal discharge
- Ice cold air
- Excellent price
Cons
- Cooling only
- Full parts warranty doesn’t include labor
#3 – Cooper&Hunter Multi-Positional Air Handler – 56 dB
With its operational noise of just 56 dB this central air conditioner cools and heats large spaces quietly. It’s modern split system helps to keep the decibels down, and a high SEER rating means you can save money on your bills.
The 56 dB produced by the Cooper&Hunter Multi-Positional Air Handler puts it down there with the quietest central air conditioners around.
But far from just giving you quietness – which is mainly thanks to a modern mini split system – the Cooper&Hunter Multi-Positional Air Handler offers more.
It’s remote-controlled, meaning you don’t have to get up and use a wall interface each time you want to adjust the temperature. And thanks to a smart port adapter, you can also control the system from anywhere using the Cooper&Hunter remote app on your phone.
A SEER rating of 18.4 is pretty impressive and owes a lot to the pre-existing duct work and thermostatic expansion valve that offers energy efficiency. And as you know, the higher the SEER rating the more money you will save and the less harm you will do to the environment.
There is a choice of power capabilities – 18,000, 24,000, 36,000, 48,000 btu/h. Don’t worry too much about this measurement unit, it basically indicates how much cooling power an AC system has.
The range of options means that the Cooper&Hunter Multi-Positional Air Handler can cool and heat medium to large homes and workplaces.
Pros
- Quiet 56 dB operation
- Heating and cooling
- Range of power options
- 18.4 SEER
Cons
- Curb-side delivery only for residential addresses
#4 – MrCool Universal Series Central Heat & Air System – 55 dB
Quiet operation – at just 55 dB – and the ability to cool and heat large homes and offices in extreme weather conditions.
The manufacturer says that the MrCool Universal Series Central Heat & Air System is ideal for environments where noise must be kept down, or where there are sound restrictions.
MrCool points out that this AC system’s 55 dB noise level is significantly quieter than a conventional condenser at 73 dB. Carl, who bought the system, commented in his Amazon review:
“It’s VERY quiet and takes much less time to bring the temp to the setting on the thermostat. So far, so good, highly recommend this brand.”
The MrCool Universal Series Central Heat & Air System provides both cooling and heating at this low dB. Its efficient DC fan motor (DC fans are usually quieter) can provide quiet operation while still offering powerful performance.
If you live in a particularly cold or hot environment the all-climate performance of this central air conditioner is a winner. When cooling, it can work at 100% capacity at 115°F, and even at 130°F it is operating at 78%. For heating, 100% capacity can be maintained at -5°F, with 78% performance down at a super-cold -22°F*.
Quick connect line set options – including no-vac, flare, and flare-to-weld – will make life easy for your installers, and that can bring down your labor costs.
A SEER rating of 18 means decent energy efficiency.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Excellent extreme weather performance
- Universal installation options
Cons
- Has high SEER is not Energy Star rated, which may affect energy company rebates
#5 – Pioneer DYR Series Central Split Heat Pump System – 54 dB
Operating noise of just 54 dB; a solid all-round option for cooling and heating. Split system and inverter technology helps to keep noise down.
With a noise level down at just 54 dB, this is clearly another central air conditioner that benefits from the quietness of a split system with inverter technology.
Some 24,000 btu/h of power means that the Pioneer DYR Series Central Split Heat Pump System is capable of providing climate control for an entire house or workspace.
With its 18 SEER rating, the Pioneer DYR Series Central Split Heat Pump System is a good all-rounder that provides both cooling and heating. It is also at a lower price point compared to some of the systems on this list.
It is able to cool at temperatures ranging from 5°F up to 118°F and heat at temperatures all the way down to -75°F.
The Pioneer DYR Series Central Split Heat Pump System comes with a backup emergency electric strip heater included. Installation is made more convenient due to the relatively small size of the compressor. The outdoor unit can be installed horizontally or vertically.
Pros
- Quiet split system with low-noise inverter
- Good value
- Operates in wide range of temperature
Cons
- Not the most powerful on the market.
