Finding a quiet HVAC system for your home is no easy task because the noise it can generate depends on certain factors, including its decibel rating and size. For help in choosing an efficient and quiet cooling and heating system for your comfort needs but without the annoying noise, refer to the following tips from your local air conditioning companies.
Understand the Decibel Rating
Air conditioners have a decibel (dB) rating to find on their label. The dB rating refers to the sound output that can be heard by a person standing near the cooling unit in a non-insulated surrounding.
At the very least, air conditioners with high cooling output can emit higher noise or decibels.
But then, there are units built with innovative sound reduction features (more on these in a bit).
Take note: They’re more expensive than regular air conditioners without noise-minimizing features.
In general, all HVAC systems have a decibel rating, and those with a lower one translates to a quieter system.
It is the exact same reason to check and compare the HVAC systems you’re eyeing on and look into their decibel ratings. Here is a quick guide for reference.
- A unit with 50 dB can translate to a quiet home conversation.
- One with 60 dB is just like the volume you can hear from a restaurant conversation.
- A system rated at 70 dB can be compared to the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
- An HVAC system with 80 dB is just like the sound produced by a garbage disposal.
If you’d refer to this guide, you can compare and look for a quiet air conditioning system that has a decibel rating at most 60 dB or systems between 50 and 60 dB.
Don’t Overwork Your HVAC
Reducing the straining of your HVAC is another great way to quiet it.
One of the best tips to remember is to monitor and maintain proper humidity levels at home. It will not just make the AC work less hard but also quieter.
As a general rule of thumb, aim at a humidity level between 30-45% (summer) and 45-55% (winter). These are optimal levels that can prevent the overworking of your HVAC while also maintaining comfort in your home.
A few things to help include but not limited to:
- If the humidity level is low, use a humidifier. If it is high, use a dehumidifier.
- Maintain enough airflow throughout your home using fans. You can use box fans or ceiling fans in the living area. On the other hand, it will help to use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms – as these places are prone to accumulating excess moisture due to cooking, baths, and showers. Range and oven fans can also help in reducing humidity due to cooking.
- Check the air ducts for leaks and seal them. Otherwise, the air will be more humid and warmer in the summer if the cooler air will escape through the leaks, for instance.
If you think humidity gets out of control and mold starts invading your home, you should contact a mold remediation service.
Look for Features that Reduce Sound
Aside from the tips above, another thing to consider in finding a quiet HVAC system for your home is to check for sound-reducing technologies or features.
Thus, you shouldn’t just look for one with a low dB rating but also the following as much as possible.
- Compressor insulation: It is an independent enclosure or compartment covering the unit’s compressor to reduce the unit’s overall noise.
- Insulated base fan: It’s an additional pan underneath the unit that works by resisting corrosion and reducing noise.
- Variable speed settings fan: It is an integrated fan that can operate at different speeds based on your family’s comfort needs. The fan can help in lowering energy bills, improving comfort and best of all in running the HVAC system at a quieter speed.
- Noise-reducing fan blades: They are designed to reduce the outdoor components’ noise.
General Preventative Maintenance Can Help
It is one of the best tips to remember in quieting an HVAC system, which must be serviced by the pros at least once a year to inspect for any potential issues, including loose and worn parts, such as screws and bolts.
With general maintenance, you can also prevent spending on any unwanted costs and keep your system working at its peak levels.
A few things that the pros can do to help not just maintain but also reduce system noise are tightening of electrical connections, lubricating the moving parts and cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, to name some.
Select the Right Size System for Your Home
You’ might want to consider professional AC technicians to determine the right system size for your home.
Many of them won’t charge a cent to do it for you, as a part of an AC installation estimate.
The experts use certain techniques in order to measure proper system size.
One of those is a heat load calculation, which helps them determine the cooling amount your home needs. In addition, they consider factors, such as the direction your home is facing, the height of your ceilings, and the roofing type you have. Overall, an HVAC team will be able to help you find the right system size for your home, not too large or too small.
There you have tips on how to find a quiet HVAC system for your home. So again, understand decibel ratings, figure out the correct size, reduce AC straining and consider general preventative maintenance. Get started finding a quiet HVAC system today!
