How to mask the noise from air conditioning unit

Question

We have our air conditioning unit outside our master bedroom window. Any idea's on how to mask the noise it makes... it keeps us up at night.

Johnchip · Answer

Often those type noises can be learned to ignore. If not, to lose sleep is just not worth  the machine ruining your life.  A lot of the noise may be from echo if it has some other structures on other sides near to it.  No landscaping will help as it and will only close it in more. Bad news, is you should replace it with a silent unit or move it to where it will not disturb.  A repair man might be able to help damper the sound it is making, but likely it is the make and model of the unit itself. Last resort, put up the 4Sale sign and check the home at night.

Larry Chura · Answer

First things first. What is making the noise? if it is an echo as listed by John, you will have to baffle the outlet of the noise. This can be done by shrubs, a low 3 ft. fence in front of it, etc. If it is not an echo, you will have to get hold of a HVAC person. A hint: Some times a bad isolator/a rubber mount on the compressor, will allow the noise to be louder. Good luck. They can at times be a bear to track down.

Leronna Farley · Answer

My husband used to do A/C repair & the WORST thing you could do is cover it with shrubs or fences!!! You NEED at least a 3' clearance around the unit for air circulation.  1) because you want the hot air to raise up & allow the cooler air access to the coil.  2) no air circulation means higher electricity bill & also the failure of the whole unit. 
Try masking the noise in your room with an air cleaner or other white noise emitter.

Leronna Farley · Answer

also, perhaps one of the compressor feet is off. have it checked out by an A/C repair person

Kar · Answer

if there is no way for you to surround it with a 3 ft clearance all around, perhaps you can extend the bedroom windowsill enough to help muffle the sound from the AC underneath?  Also, to drown out unwanted sounds in my bedroom, I keep the fan going AND I have a patio sized water fountain in my bedroom.

Gma Kirk · Answer

I have found an electric fan in the room or a white noise machine to help mask other noises. Like this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A2JBMRE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1467832004&sr=8-2&keywords=white+noise+machine&pi=SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=41qqnPFxumL&ref=plSrch

Sue Newman · Answer

How about an indoor water feature

Christina · Answer

For our noisy AC unit, we first purchased an electric fan ($30) that helped muffle the noise somewhat, but you could still hear it. Purchased an indoor water feature ($25), muffled some of the sound, but found myself getting up several times a night to go pee. I I then purchased 'Blackout Curtains' ($80) that helped muffle the noise even more.  After a year or so, it just kept getting louder and sleep was impossible. Purchased earplugs ($2), couldn't hear my alarm and overslept for work.... Finally broke down and called a repair guy ($75-I can't remember what it was that he fixed but it was something simple).....sweet dreams from then on! ------true story.....often times it's best just to call in the professional, at least have them take a look and give you an estimate.

Phil a · Answer

Having done A/C installation and repair, I've come across 'noisy' compressors, before. If it's 'buzzing' when running, check for loose screws holding the panels on. If tightening screws doesn't help, you can stuff little pieces of neoprene foam into the spaces where the buzzing is originating. Also, keeping the compressor unit radiator fins clean by monthly hosing them down goes a long way to making it more efficient thereby saving electricity because the unit will run less often and for shorter periods of time. An earlier suggestion of using white noise from a fan or white noise generator helps a lot to mask the compressor sounds, as well as creaky floors, dripping faucets, neighborhood dogs barking and other random noises. Also, placing the T-Stat A/C fan switch to ON vs AUTO will help keep the temperature throughout the house more stable and can help mask the sounds of the compressor and might allow you to actually raise the t-stat setting a degree or 2 which also lets the unit run less, making less noise and saving electricity.  Just make sure you change the Furnace Filter at least every season to keep good airflow for better efficiency. No need to get the most expensive ones, just the basic pleated paper filters. The green mesh filters do nothing more than stop bugs. Getting a lot of dust into the Evaporator Coils will cause airflow problems in the future and cost a few hundred $$ to clean.

Jesse · Answer

get up dated and buy a new one

William · Answer

If the noise is from the compressor, there are companies that make sound blankets that just cover the compressor. Check these sites out. http://www.familyhandyman.com/heating-cooling/air-conditioner-repair/tips-for-fixing-noisy-air-conditioners/view-all, https://www.amazon.com/Brinmar-SBUHD-Universal-Fit-Conditioner-Compressor/dp/B008J5H6I2, http://info.acoustiblok.com/blog/bid/76779/Baby-it-s-hot-outside-and-A-C-Noise-is-Raising-Tempers

JaneseC · Answer

We sleep with a very loud fan in our room.  The  'white noise' created by the fan blocks out everything outside.

Kendra · Answer

We built a small picket fence around our ac unit.  It cuts down on alot of the noise from the unit and it also looks cute

MM · Answer

I turn on my ceiling fan and put swishy earplugs all the way in my ears. Can't hear the AC or the traffic, only muffled. So peaceful!

Swallowtail4887 · Answer

I turn n 'rain on a tin roof, in a forest, on a tent, in the woods, on a lake, 'sounds'  at night on the computer to sleep soundly...somehow it also keeps me cool on the sweltering summer nights in AL.  Sweet Dreams!

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