click here to skip this sponsored messageclick here to skip this sponsored messageNoise is unwanted sound and needs to be considered when designing HVAC equipment. Air conditioner noise is unavoidable but it can be minimized with the use of insulator, rubber and other noise absorber materials. Good equipment design plays a big factor in the air conditioner noise emitted by the unit.In mini split system, the typical sources of noise is the condenser which is located outside the house and the evaporator which is inside the house. The typical air-cooled condenser consists of the compressor, fan, coil and expansion valve. The compressor emits the highest sound pressure and the sound pressure increases over time due to the wearing off of the vibration pads that are used to mount the compressor to the metal casing. Other factors include the wearing off of the components in the compressor such as the motor, valve and other mechanical component.There are not much you can do to a hermetic compressor as you will not be able to access the internal mechanical parts.

If the noise comes from the mounting problem, this can be solved else you will need to replace the compressor for good.Sometimes, the noise can come from the leaves and other material that block the fan blades from rotating properly. low power ac-dc modulesCheck also the bearings of the fan motor which can cause imbalance to the fan.ac window unit mountThe indoor unit or evaporator consists of electronic control, cooling coil, air filters and blower. cheap split ac unitsThe noise usually comes from the fan. Over time, dirt and other materials may block the movement of the fan blades and the air. Hence it is always a good practise to clean the air filters regularly. Internal parts that are not easily accessible should be cleaned by qualified technicians. Check also the bearings of the fan motor.

Sound waves are generated due to a changing of air pressure and travels in all directions. The strength of the sound decrease with the distance from the source. The measurement of the sound pressure is usually taken from about 3 feet from the source. For most people, the sound frequencies from 1kHz to 4kHz are the easiest to hear.The typical sound pressure is as shown in the table below. The human ear hears the same loudness for sound pressure even though with different decibels for different frequencies. For example, the loudness at 93dB(50 Hz) is the same as 87dB(5 kHz).The measurement unit usually used is dBA instead of dB. The dBA unit means that the sound pressure is measured using a standard "A" filter that has been placed in the microphone. This filter decreases the amplitude of the low frequencies but letting the higher frequencies pass through. Hence, the sound pressure using dBA scale for 93dB(50 Hz) is the same as 87dB(5 kHz) which is 87dBA.Example of Wall Mounted Sound Level SpecificationsWhen purchasing any air conditioner unit, make sure that you check the air conditioner noise level that is usually printed on the product specifications of the unit.

Both the indoor and outdoor units will have this specifications. If not, you can always request from the technical personnel to provide you with the values.An example of the noise level specifications of R410A Wall Mounted Inverter Single Split Systems from Mitsubishi Electric is as shown on the tables below. Take note that the higher the cooling capacity, the higher the noise level. Back to Air Conditioner Noise Home PageWhy is My AC Unit Making a Squealing Noise? When transitioning from winter to spring weather, it could mean any number of things when your air conditioning unit needs some routine maintenance. With our last post, we walked you through necessary steps to take in preparing your outdoor AC unit for the more regular usage that the weather shift requires. Cleaning and maintaining is one thing, but what if after all that there is still a high-pitched squealing noise? It’s highly more likely that you’ll experience this in the spring, as your compressor/capacitor has been exposed to the winter elements for months at a time (including ice).

What could this sound mean and is there an easy way to fix it? If you’re experiencing this issue, it is likely one of three things: the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor, the belt connecting the motor to the blower has slipped, or it’s actually not a problem at all. Here are a few tips to help diagnose the problem and a pointer on how to fix your noisy AC unit. If it’s not a problem – Many units emit a slight squeal under normal operation. This is especially the case when, at this point in the year, it has been sitting for several months and just needs to work out its kinks. A good indication that this is in fact the case is the brevity of the noise. If it’s nothing to worry about then the noise will be slight and only last for a few minutes. If it’s any longer than a few moments and any louder than ‘slight,’ then you should investigate other causes (see below). If it’s the belt connecting the motor to the blower – Most newer units do away with the belt system.

If you have an older unit and happen to know that it is belt driven, then the issue is more than likely that the belts have been worn over the years and have slipped. You’ll hear this noise both outside and coming through the vents inside your home. If this is indeed the cause, your next step would be to replace the belt or call us. If it’s the bearings attached to your unit’s condenser fan – All newer units have direct-drive motors (meaning no belts). These sorts of units use a fan to draw air across the condenser coils located inside of your compressor. If you have a direct-drive motor then you will hear the squealing or grinding coming from your outside unit. This means that the bearings on the fan motor are shot and the motor will need to be replaced. We strongly urge you not to fix this on your own as it could increase the amount of damage to your compressor, resulting in a more costly fix. As you gear up for cold weather, do you experience a potent smell when you turn on your heater?