When my son and I were outside our a/c came on. Oh my goodness, it was LOUD! (When it came on, and the entire time it was running.) The unit is not very old and both our realtor and the home inspector said it's a very good unit. We have no problems with the unit being efficient, so I don't *think* there is an issue. (Our bills are also reasonable, even when we use it most of the day/night.) Has anyone else noticed their unit being extremely loud? I hope there is nothing to worry over!!
**Forgot to mention we got it cleaned and serviced last summer.
I'm sorry you don't have one, Nicole :(
We are definitely really thankful for ours, because people literally die here in the summer without them.
Mine is fairly loud. My husband insisted that there was a way to make it more quiet so he tinkered with it and nothing changed. I think they are just inherently noisy and you don't really think about it or notice it until you are outside and it kicks on. You probably have nothing to worry about.
Ours sounds WAY louder when we're outside--think about it--when the AC is on and you're inside all windows are normally closed!
Well when I am out side if I walk around to that side of the house I hear it, otherwise not so much, the house blocks the noise. It is only about 5 years old though. A motor with a fan is going to make noise no matter what. As long as you do not hear any kind of squealing noise you should be fine. Squealing or squeaking noise from the running motor could mean the bearings are going.
Ours is noisy too. I think that’s just the way they make them. I can hear the neighbors also when they start, but there is only about 4 to 5 feet between the houses and it echoes.
After one year our new Lennox unit started to produce a loud noise. After some investingating I determined it was the small metal panel on the backside that protects the control panel. When I applied pressure to the little panel with my hand, the unit was silent again. There should be vinyl strips around the edges of this panel to keep it from vibrating against the frame.
Why are all these Yankees answering Texas questions?
B., go over to a friend's house and stand outside and listen to her a/c come on. I think that we don't even realize how loud they are when we are inside the house because we don't hear it.
Oh, and choose a friend who has a relatively new system too, so it's apples to apples...
Dawn
It's so quiet I don't even notice it's there! Oh wait. It's not. We don't have one. =/
What????
:)
Mine is loud. The more expensive unit is quieter. But we don't use AC alot in the summer here in Bend so I couldn't see spending extra for the upgrade.
Yes, ours is noisy too, but it's on the side of the house where we are not very often and we have some bushes around it that keep the noise muffled. But we have to keep the bushes trimmed to keep the unit efficient.
Look inside your unit. If you can see the compressor, then call your dealer and order a sound enclosure. This will cover up the compressor and help with the noise. You can also have your dealer review the unit and see if it is loud because of any rattles. YOu will have to pay for the sound enclosure and for the service call, but it might be worth it to you.
OR if this is a brand new install, then seriously start complaining and you will get what you want without paying for it.
Good luck,
L.
Like Nicole, ours is incredibly quiet. We don't have one. (Dang! I was hoping I'd be the first with that joke.) Most homes in our area don't have them, because we only have a few really warm days here in summer. I'm not a huge fan of AC, so it works for me.
But, AC units are infamous for being quite loud. In the City of Seattle, HVAC units are considered "noise producers" that need a noise study before getting a permit. That may only be for commercial developments, but residential units are loud as well.
Moral of the story: Don't install a new AC unit, especially anywhere near a neighbor's property, without thoroughly considering the noise it produces.
