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AGKing's avatar
AGKing
Explorer
May 28, 2014

Reducing AC noise

Does anyone have any advice on how to reduce the noise of a roof mounted AC in it's normal operating mode?

8 Replies

  • We've got ducting in the ceiling and two roof units - one in the bedroom and one in the front.
    Watching (and listening to) TV with the front unit on is nearly impossible so we cool the coach down with both units beforehand, close off all the ducts in the bedroom and then put the thermostat higher in the front and lower in the bedroom. Theory is - the bedroom A/C puts out enough cool air to keep the front at least tolerable.
    Works in the evening pretty well - even down here in the Texas summer. Not so much during the day, though.
    BTW - we do the reverse in the evening so we don't have the bedroom unit coming on at oh-dark-thirty and scaring the $%^&*( out of us!
  • Cool air trumps noise - at least in an RV. I put on earbuds and listen to music when I get tired of the noise.
  • Noise is caused by turbulence. So look for any place that has sharp edges and make them round. Vents are designed carelessly when it comes to noise. If you really want to go after it, any place there is a lip, build up the area behind it with epoxy, so that the duct work tapers into the vent. I have the old conventional roof AC units. I know when I pull the cover off, it is tons quieter. I've been tempted to smooth out the openings and see if that helps. It will probably help the air flow as well.
  • The noise is just part of the unit being so close and not much can be done about it. Probably why basement air was so popular. My Fleetwood has both units mounted forward so atleast the bedroom is quiet when we sleep.
  • Make sure the hold-down bolts are tight and check for any airflow leakage between the warm air in and the cool air out plenums under the cover..... :)
  • Use some astrofoil and insulate the blower side then go to intake side and insulate the backside of it
  • Most of the noise is the blower,
    You can try running it on low
    Won't do a thing about compressor hum
    But will reduce blower noise
  • The only way I know is for it to be so hot that the heat is worse than the AC noise. :)