How loud is a mini split condenser unit?

[kolky]

For those of you that have mini splits how loud is the outdoor unit? I can find db ratings for the indoor portion but not the outdoor condenser. I'd like to install one in the new garage I am having built and I'm debating between installing it on the back wall or side wall of my garage.

If I install it on the back wall the condenser will be facing east which would be preferable but would be about 20' from my neighbors driveway and about 40'-50' from their patio and directly facing them.

If I install it on the side wall it would be a few feet back from that and not facing them directly. Unfortunately it will be facing south though I do have quite a few trees in the area so constant sun should not be too big of an issue.

I'd like to avoid putting it somewhere that will be an annoyance to my neighbors.

 

[jjrbus]

I am the type of person that finds noise annoying. My Daikin outside units are quiet and would not bother me at 50 feet away. Would be just noticeable on a quiet night at that distance. Can't speak for other brands.

Took a peak, Daikin says 46 db for their outside units. I find db helpful, however some db are more annoying than others and the minis are ok in that respect.

 

[kelpaso1]

Most are very quiet. One thing though. Don't mount it directly to the outside wall using L brackets. I had mine installed that way and the outside unit vibrated the whole wall and was annoying inside the garage. I had them come back and use a free standing metal stand on a concrete patio block for the unit to sit on so it's not attached to the garage wall. Don't even hear it now.

 

[Kaizen]

At 10 feet from the side I can’t tell if my 12k mr cool is running. Your neighbor should not have an issue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vavet]

I have to look at the fan of my Mr Cool unit to see if it's running. There is more ambient noise from wind, birds, and squirrels than from the outdoor unit.

 

[rlitman]

At 10 feet from the side I can’t tell if my 12k mr cool is running. Your neighbor should not have an issue...

I have two 18k mini-splits, and they're about as quiet as yours. The only noise comes from the fan, and that's only when they're on high.

 

[MattN03]

My two Daikin units are very quiet. There is no comparison to them compared to a traditional heat pump making noise...

 

[kolky]

Thanks all. That is really helpful!

 

[yeldogt]

You may feel it on the wall ... what size? I did a 30k and can hear it ....no one else can ..

 

[strutaeng]

Most are very quiet. One thing though. Don't mount it directly to the outside wall using L brackets. I had mine installed that way and the outside unit vibrated the whole wall and was annoying inside the garage. I had them come back and use a free standing metal stand on a concrete patio block for the unit to sit on so it's not attached to the garage wall. Don't even hear it now.

Yes, I have this "problem" as well. Installed in a frame I welded up from misc. angles, etc. It's outside our room wall. I can hear a hum when it comes one, but then sorta becomes quieter. Not really an issue. Mine is a Mr. Cool 24kBtu HyperHeat. Oasis or Olympus or something like that. I forgot to mount those little rubber isolators, so that's probably making it worse...

 

[rlitman]

...I forgot to mount those little rubber isolators, so that's probably making it worse...

Probably. So, add them after the fact.

 

[65ranchero]

Mitsubishi condenser very quiet, I would say quieter that a 3ton whole house system
And yes don't mount it to the house

 

[kolky]

You may feel it on the wall ... what size? I did a 30k and can hear it ....no one else can ..

I am planning to put in an 18k Mr Cool DIY. I was planning to put it on a pad rather than mounting it to the wall.

 

[jjrbus]

I am planning to put in an 18k Mr Cool DIY. I was planning to put it on a pad rather than mounting it to the wall.

They like to put a small pad under the unit, I am in FL and mow 12 months a year. I poured a pad right up to the house and do not have to weed wack behind the unit and not a little space for whatever to collect there.

 

[yeldogt]

I am planning to put in an 18k Mr Cool DIY. I was planning to put it on a pad rather than mounting it to the wall.

They are very quiet ... standing next to them on high you may hear the fan. It is not as loud as a box fan.

It should also be said --- the better traditional split systems are just as quiet today. The VS rotary compressors are very quiet and with larger condenser area the fans are not required to have the same static power

 

[theoldwizard1]

Don't mount it directly to the outside wall using L brackets. I had mine installed that way and the outside unit vibrated the whole wall and was annoying inside the garage.

Concur !

If your neighbor complains build a small section of shadow box fencing and place it in front of the outdoor unit. I should be at least 5' tall, and the "pickets" should overlap. This will make the sound go up. Make sure it can be easily removed to service.

 

[kolky]

Concur !

If your neighbor complains build a small section of shadow box fencing and place it in front of the outdoor unit. I should be at least 5' tall, and the "pickets" should overlap. This will make the sound go up. Make sure it can be easily removed to service.

I thought about something like that or shrubbery. The thing that caught my attention though is that the MrCool unit requires a minimum of 78" of clearance in front of the condenser unit. Seems like a lot to me but that is what is stated in the manual.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I thought about something like that or shrubbery. The thing that caught my attention though is that the MrCool unit requires a minimum of 78" of clearance in front of the condenser unit. Seems like a lot to me but that is what is stated in the manual.

That is for service access. If the fence is removable 24" should be good.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have to look at the fan of my Mr Cool unit to see if it's running. There is more ambient noise from wind, birds, and squirrels than from the outdoor unit.

X2. Can't tell when my 18k Halcyon's are running without looking.

Tommy

 

[Jim Caudill]

You can hardly hear my 12K LG mini-split if you are standing next to it. Mine is mounted on "L" brackets and I can't even hear it in the garage. My unit is an inverter, which uses a variable speed compressor - this may make a difference.

 

[Hubmonkey]

I have a 24k unit and you just hear the whoosh of the fan moving air. Kinda reminds me of a 20" box fan running on high.

Hub

 

[Zaxxn]

36k Pioneer, about 10' up up on the wall - can't really hear it run ever with the general outside "noise" of wind, birds, etc.
Definitely whisper quiet.

--Zax

 

[chrispyny]

I have an 18k btu Pioneer i installed on my wall of the house 2.5’ off the ground. I can not hear it run on the opposite wall. My house is 2x4 construction from 1971.

I also have a 24k btu Fujitsu unit on the other side of the house i installed. Also very very quiet inside but i can actually barely hear it running when at full blast. Outside all i hear is air whooshing at both units. At 50’ i don’t think i could hear either running over ambiant outdoor noises like birds, wind, cars going by etc. i’d have to really strain to hear them at 50’.

Put it where its best for you. Your neighbor will not hear it running at those distances. Period.

 

[ngustas]

2015 Gree 24k inverter mini split is quieter from 5ft away than old 30k Bryant central air is at 180ft.

For the most part the outdoor unit is silent, some hissing and compressor wind up noise while switching to the defrost cycle when running heat, but even that is inaudible over ambient noises from 15ft or so. No way anyone could tell it was running from 50ft away in the summer unless they could see the fan turning.

 

[mike93lx]

My 24k freidrich sounds like a box fan. While on my patio, 12' away and around a corner, I can barely hear it. It is inaudible inside the house and it is even mounted to the foundation

 

[Jm78b]

Depends on the brand and model but geberally minisplits are extremely quiet. I wouldnt think twice about hearing it 40 ft away. Inverter units dont have to run full tilt either so once again running quieter.

 

[ant.foste]

My bathroom fans were louder than the 18k Fujitsu I installed in 2017. Since it was right outside of my home office, I spent a lot of time pacing around that unit while on the phone and it never had any impact on the call. It was very quiet. Hardly noticeable. Quieter than a microwave and much quieter than anything but the most expensive traditional home heat pumps.

 

[tez929rr]

I have a mini split and heat pump in different portions of the same building. I took this video this morning to show the difference in sound. I hope it helps.

 

[dsimatt]

Ours is mounted on our back patio, i can sit there and its just a notible hum and when our neighbors unit kicks in 30ft away its twice as loud.