HVAC systems should not be noisy when they’re properly installed and maintained. If your air conditioning unit or furnace is rattling, clanking, squealing, or banging on a regular basis, it’s time to have it looked at or possibly replaced.
There are many perks to owning a quiet HVAC system. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a quiet HVAC system, how to reduce noise in your HVAC, and the most efficient and quiet central air conditioner systems.
Perks of a Quiet HVAC
Peace of Mind
Noisy HVAC systems are annoying. The constant whirring, whining, and clanging can distract you, startle you, and wake you in the middle of the night. Your HVAC system should be working silently in the background while you deal with the real issues of your day-to-day life. Replacing or repairing your system can offer you the peace of mind you didn’t know you even needed.
Beyond being a minor (or major) annoyance, noisy HVAC systems can also have serious health implications for you and your family. The noise can interfere with your sleep cycle, which causes headaches, lowers your immunity, messes with your digestive metabolism, and can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Since a noisy system is often a broken or faulty system, you may notice an increase in dust, a burning smell, or less heat/air than you need. All of these can aggravate health issues and raise your energy bills, which is bad for both your mental health and your bank account.
Lower Energy Bills
As noise is often an indication that something is wrong with your HVAC system, a quiet system implies the opposite. When your HVAC system is running smoothly and efficiently, you spend less money on your monthly energy bills.
The less your system struggles to heat and cool your air and push it through the ventilation system; the less energy is consumed. This is how energy-efficient air conditioners and heaters save you money. With the best models, there are fewer heating or cooling cycles, less effort to circulate and filter the air, and less energy consumed overall.
Less Conflict
There is nothing more annoying than relaxing in your backyard and having your book or conversation interrupted by your neighbor’s noisy air conditioner. As the thing roars to life, you’re left having to shout over the noise or retreat inside where you can concentrate.
Don’t be that neighbor. Invest in a high-efficiency, low-noise AC to keep the peace in your neighborhood. Remember, you and your family will benefit from a newly peaceful outdoor experience as well!
How Do I Reduce Noise in My HVAC?
It can be difficult to reduce HVAC noise because it’s not just the main unit contributing to the problem. You also have to worry about ductwork, which is usually buried deep in your home’s infrastructure. Often, noise that is created by your HVAC system is amplified and carried from room to room through your house by the ductwork and ventilation system.
Luckily, there are several ways to reduce HVAC noise and soundproof your system.
Start at the Source
Often, the easiest and most obvious way to reduce noise in your HVAC system is to have it inspected and repaired. As we mentioned above, HVAC systems aren’t noisy by nature. Thus, a noise issue is an indication of a larger problem.
If you have a noisy AC or heater, contact an HVAC repair company to inspect it thoroughly. Sometimes, replacing a worn-out component or adjusting the settings can cut the sound off at its source!
If you have an old or inefficient unit, it’s possible that the noise cannot be fixed through repairs alone. If that’s the case, read on for more soundproofing tips.
Vibration Dampening Products
Many times, unwanted noise from your HVAC unit is caused by vibrations. The force with which the unit operates causes vibrations that are carried through the ductwork and amplified along the way.
There are several vibration dampening products that you can spray on the interior or exterior of your HVAC unit to reduce the noise caused by vibrations. You can also apply vibration dampeners to your ducts to help soundproof them. This also gives them extra thermal protection, which can reduce your energy costs!
Line Your Ductwork
Most HVAC noise is transmitted to your home through ductwork. Lining the ducts with sound absorbers can prevent the noise from reaching you inside the house.
There are various materials that can help reduce noise in the ductwork. Just make sure that you choose one that is fire-safe and does not release particles into your air stream.
A popular choice is Melamine foam. The melamine foam has high sound absorption and low flammability. However, it does contain formaldehyde, which has lowered its popularity over the years.
Another option is polyurethane foam covered in a high-density sound barrier membrane, like Quiet Wrap™ Pipe Soundproofing Wrap.
What Is the Quietest HVAC System?
If you’re looking for the quietest HVAC systems, you’re also looking for the most efficient HVAC systems. Usually, the more efficient and quiet the system, the more of a financial investment you’ll have to make. However, we’ve compiled a list that will allow you to install a quiet air conditioner on any budget!
Single-Stage Air Conditioners
Most homes use single-stage air conditioners. These units work by turning on when the indoor temperature exceeds the setting on your thermostat. So, if you have the thermostat set to 68 degrees, the air conditioning kicks on when the temperature in your home reaches 69 degrees.
Cold air is blasted into your home until the temperature is brought under 68 degrees. Then the unit turns off and waits until the indoor temperature goes back up again. They always run at 100% capacity and can be louder than the other types of air conditioners. They are also usually the most affordable.
Our recommendations for quiet single-stage air conditioners are:
- Lennox Signature Series SL18XC1 – 65 decibels
- Heil QuietComfort 16 HSA6 Central Air Conditioner – 69 decibels
Variable-Speed Air Conditioners
Variable-speed air conditioners work by running continuously at less than 100% capacity. This means that heating and cooling cycles are much longer than with single-stage units. Depending on your climate, these can be much more efficient than single-stage air conditioners. Our recommendations include:
- Ruud EcoNet Ultra Series UA20 – 54 decibels
- Daikin Fit DX17VSS – 55 decibels
- Heil QuietComfort® Deluxe 19 HVA9 – 56 decibels
- Carrier Infinity 19VS 24VNA9 – 56 decibels
Two-Stage Air Conditioners
Two-stage air conditioners are a combination of variable and single-stage units. It can run at full or low capacity and varies depending on the environment and temperature. They are less efficient than variable-stage conditioners and more efficient than single-stage air conditioners, making them a great middle-of-the-road budget option. We recommend:
- Goodman GSXC18 – 68 decibels
- Coleman AC19 – 68 decibels
Get a Quiet HVAC System in Central Arkansas
If you have questions about who makes the quietest central air conditioner, or you need to have your unit inspected, One Call Service can help. Contact us online to schedule an appointment today.