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How to Fix a Noisy Window Unit Air Conditioner

There’s nothing worse than a window unit air conditioner that rattles your home and its occupants to the core. It’s especially annoying when your window unit air conditioner is installed in a bedroom or in another place in your home where noise can be a big issue. After all, who can sleep when the window unit air conditioner is rattling the night away? Who can think straight in a home office with a noisy air conditioner compressor that goes on and off all day long?

The bad news? There’s no such thing as a soundproof air conditioner. The good news? You can successfully address noise and vibration in a window unit air conditioner. All it takes is a little sleuth work combined with some elbow grease and you’re on your way to a quieter, home air conditioning environment.

How to Fix a Noisy Window Unit Air Conditioner

Of course, the first way to get your air conditioner to quiet down is to buy the right unit for the size or the room or house. Too large, and you’ll over power a room or home office. Too small, and you won’t get the cooling you need. Some units are quieter than others. Best to read consumer reviews or consult the home improvement professionals before you purchase your window unit air conditioner. The very best systems are whole house systems that have central air conditioning. If you live in an older home, quieter units can be installed on an exterior wall. The best installations are the low profile air conditioning units that keep the compressor outside where noise can be kept at bay.

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What else can you do to keep a window unit air conditioner quiet or fix the rattle? Check out How Fix a Noisy Window Unit Air Conditioner. Easy ways to keep your cool…and your air conditioner as quiet as can be.

Tip No. 1. Find the source of the problem. Vibration is usually the cause of most of the sound coming from a noisy window unit air conditioner. But, there may be other reasons your window unit air conditioner is keeping everyone awake a night. Before you start shopping for a new air conditioner, see if you can identify what’s causing your air conditioner to make noise.

Tip No. 2. Adjust the screws. Make sure your unit is safe and secure in the window. Check the screws and make sure they’re tight and secure. A loose screw can make your window air conditioning unit rumble and vibrate.

Tip No. 3. Make sure your unit is secure in the window. Turn on the unit and press your hand onto the sash. If the sound pitch changes, you may need to put some shims between the window frame and the air conditioning unit to quiet the machine down a bit.

Tip No. 4. Check the glass and listen to the pitch. Turn on the unit and press your hand onto the glass. If the sound pitch changes when you do this, you may need to apply cellophane tape or putty between the glass and the frame. These materials can be found at your local hardware store or home improvement center, like Home Depot or Lowes.

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Tip No. 5. Check the blades. Pull the unit out of the window, if possible. Make sure the fan blades of the window unit air conditioner are not bent and causing noise. If so, bend it back until it resembles the other blades. Return the window unit air conditioner to its position, and test.

Tip No. 6. Install air conditioning unit in another room. Sometimes, try as you may, the window air conditioning unit you chose is too large for the room or too noisy for a bedroom, office or other room that needs a more quiet machine. If possible, reposition the unit and use stationary fans to pull the air into other areas, as needed.

Tip No. 7. Buy a new unit. It could be that your air conditioner is on the blink and needs to be replaced. If you have a noisy window unit air conditioner that needs to be replaced, consult your home improvement professionals or consumer reviews before you buy its successor. Buy purchasing the right air conditioner, installing it properly and attending to its maintenance, you can assure a more productive, quieter window unit air conditioner in the end. Years ago, I bought a small, window unit air conditioner from Sears and couldn’t be happier with it. Shop around the find the size and unit that works for you.

RESOURCES

Do It Yourself
www.doityourself.com

My Home Improvement
www.myhomeimprovement.com

This Old House
www.thisoldhouse.com

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