As it gets warmer and people emerge from their winter hibernation into the summer sun, noise always becomes an issue. This is especially true when it comes to backyard noise in residential neighborhoods.The source of the noise can be cookouts, pool pumps, air conditioning units, young children, or number of other things.Regardless of whether you’re the one making the noise or the one trying to enjoy some quiet time one yard over, we recommend a sound blocking fence.  Also referred to as a soundproof fence, these sound barriers absorb noise and can also block it from transferring between properties.Specifically, our most commonly used acoustical solution, and the most affordable product for residential sound blocking fences is our AudioSeal™ Exterior-Grade Acoustical Blankets.  These products are sold by the individual blanket or roll in standard sizes, making retrofits to existing structures easy and cost-effective.Please be sure to verify your structure will comply with local building codes, ordinances, or home owners association.

This particular person lived near Philadelphia and installed central air conditioning. Their neighbors complained to the city about the noise levels (notice how close the houses are) and she was told she couldn’t use her AC until she got the noise levels below the city ordinance. After discussions she decided to install a stockade fence and line it with AQFA-10 EXT sound absorbing blankets. She expedited the order since it was the week before memorial day. After installation of the AQFA-10 EXT material, the AC noise was well under the city ordinance noise limits. She stayed cool and comfortable all summer long!The next story involves a bank next to a church. The bank installed a new AC system and it was too loud for the church. They weren’t required by law to do anything about the noise, but the business wanted to be a good neighbor. They installed ABBC-13 EXT blankets in the 2″ thick version (this model comes in 1″ or 2″ thicknesses, with an option for 2lb psf instead of 1lb for the 2″) on the side of the bank building and reduced the noise level to an acceptable level for the church..  

Even though these panels aren’t supported by a fence, the acoustical treatment is just as effective. During the summer the church was able to open the windows without hearing a constant hum from the bank’s AC unit.ac window unit repair san antonioBoth of these stories happen to be specifically about outdoor HVAC noise blocking, but this solution would work for any kind of outdoor noise. portable ac rental kansas cityIf the barrier will block the line of sight between you and noise source, it will block the sound as well.12v marine air conditioning unitsThe model AQFA-10 EXT Exterior Absorber Sound Blanket blanket is purely sound absorbing and consists of an exterior grade vinyl coated polyester on both sides of 2″ quilted fiberglass.

These sound blankets are constructed with all edges bound and grommets across the top for easy hanging.The Audioseal Exterior Sound Blanket ABBC-13Ext blanket is both sound absorbing and blocking, which makes it something we call a “combination blanket”. It consists of a vinyl-coated-polyester-cloth facing encapsulating a 1″ quilted fiberglass that is bonded to a reinforced 1-lb per square foot mass loaded vinyl barrier.  These sound attenuation blankets are constructed with environmentally sustainable fiberglass filling with grommets across the top and Velcro® along the vertical edges of the blankets.In situations where there is no existing fence in which to mount a blanket, a turn-key approach may be taken. The PrivacyShield™ Outdoor Enclosure is specifically designed to enclose residential machinery like pool pumps, HVAC heat pumps and generators. Available in a two sided or three sided enclosure with a 6′ height, these ship direct to you and are installed in a similar fashion as a fence.

Let us know how we can help with your next project!Kathy PalimoreAcoustical Sales Consultant800.782.5742 ext. 116Direct: 804.349.0036Contact Kathy PalimoreA window air conditioner is a great way of keeping a room cool in the absence of central air conditioning. These window ACs come as a comprehensive unit that can be mounted on a window or even a specially designed aperture in a room. You do not need to install additional piping or separate condenser units. Installing them is also far simpler than designing and installing central air conditioner units. However, the biggest problem with window air conditioners is that they can sometimes be noisy. Here are some steps that you can follow to troubleshoot a window air conditioner that is excessively noisy or loud. If your window air conditioner has been operating at a steady noise level but suddenly starts making a loud noise, it’s possible a foreign object has fallen into it. This is quite common in these types of air conditioners because the outer part of the unit hangs outside your window, making it easy for small animals or flying debris to enter your air conditioner.

If your room is on the ground floor, it’s possible that a ground dwelling animal like a rat or lizard may have made your window unit its new home. Switch off your air conditioner immediately, unplug it, and open the front grill. Using a flashlight, peek inside the unit. Remove the foreign obstruction, fasten the front grill back in place, and start the air conditioner once more. In certain cases, the presence of an intruding object does damage that causes problems even after it’s been removed. The fan blades inside your window air conditioner, for example, can become bent if they strike an object that falls inside the unit. Check to see if the blades are straight. If not, straighten them until they are properly aligned. This can be done by hand or by using a strong pair of pliers if necessary. If you are not able to figure out whether the blades are bent or not, consider seeking professional assistance. Window air conditioner units are heavy, have lots of moving parts, and are precariously mounted in window frames.

As a result, these units are prone to a lot of vibration if they have not been mounted correctly. Touch the sides of the window frame on which the air conditioner is mounted. If they are vibrating excessively, you should call the people who installed the air conditioner and ask them to fix it so that the vibration is minimized. The front grill of a window air conditioner needs to be removed on a regular basis to clean the filter. These grills are usually held in place by a simple locking mechanism. While a dirty filter is certainly problematic for the unit’s function, it won’t cause excessive noise. However, if the grill is not put back properly following a cleaning or the locking mechanism is defective or damaged, it can vibrate around and cause a lot of noise. Remove the grill and set it back on properly to eliminate this noise. If the locking mechanism has been damaged, you may have to replace it. If the fan motor is not properly lubricated, it can result in a loud persistent noise.