Quietest A/C Condensing Unit

[Sarki]

Need some advice from you A/C guys out there.
Looking to replace the older Frigidair central a/c system in my 1600 sq ft house. The air handler is positioned horizontally in the crawl space and the condensing unit is obviously on the exterior.
Main problem is my neighbors bedroom window is literally 8'-10' from the condensing unit and the present one is noisy as hell. I've tried a compressor blanket and have a bushes between the homes but it really is very loud and I'm sure very annoying.
I'd like to upgrade to a more efficient unit but more importantly a unit that has a very quiet condense/compressor on the exterior of the house.
Anybody have some advice or suggestions?
Located in NY, northern Dutchess County if we have any installers in the area.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Scrolls tend to be louder than recips, but they're not as loud as they used to be.

Tommy

 

[Zeke]

Day and Night or others made by the parent company, Carrier. Day and Night seems to be at a better price point for the same as others made by the same folks.

 

[bonneyman]

Lennox units use this newer backwards-rotating fan blade that supposedly cuts air noise out of the top significantly. Having an 825 RPM condensor motor also helps over typical 1075 RPM.
Compressor blankets (which you have) and rubber isolators under the 4 corners of the unit help with noise, too.

The Lennox fan blades look like this. they slice through the air because of the pointy design.

http://www.heatingandairparts.com/products.php?product=14W79

 

[pop pop]

Go to the website and look for dB ratings. I'd stick with Carrier.

 

[slice]

Just installed 3 ton 16 seer goodman. Very quite.

 

[bonneyman]

Many new units have ECM motors. Compressors, cond motors, blower motors. They can run at any speed from 40% to 100%. Makes them real quiet.

 

[thooks]

Daikin or L


End of discussion

 

[Sarki]

Taking a look at the specs listed on the Carrier & Lennox sites to get as much info as possible.
Specs tell one story but personal experience sometimes tells another story.
I suspect just like with most things, big part of how noisy and efficient comes down to how well the installation was done.
Any NY'ers know of a well respected and knowledgable installer that services Dutchess County?

 

[DHCrocks]

I have a maytag iqdrive its much quieter then the old rheem it replaced. its variable speed and at its lowest it runs at 59db so they say. Most of the time it runs at low just to maintain the temperature. it runs longer cycles then my old ac, during a hot day it just hums along constantly but quietly. it uses the nordyne compressor.

 

[Falcon67]

Our new Ruud 14 SEER is very quiet. It sits 8' from our bedroom window and it's not a problem having the windows open with it running.

 

[Sarki]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Ruud Chris.
Some good comments that lead me to believe a lot of improvements have been made since the original system was installed in early 2000. I was never impressed with this Frigidaire unit. Most likely a bottom line unit, my fault as I didn't really know better back then......live and learn!

 

[brewchief]

All of the brands have units that are pretty quiet, not all models from any brand will be super quiet.

The more efficient units tend to be quieter for the most part.

Lennox XC17 is a very quiet higher end unit if you are looking at single stage units, you can get even less noise if you go to an inverter unit like the XC25 but the price will climb.

I've had customers walk up to XC17s and not realize that its running until they see the fan spinning.

 

[pablo94sc]

If you're made of money stop reading here.

If your old unit is working fine, then run it until it's dead and can't be brought back to life (compressor failure). Older compressor units like the 34 year old Carrier at my house can and often last 40+ years before being unrepairable. It's louder than high end units but it's a tank. The newer ones last 15 years on average and you aren't likely to be saving a ton of money on your utility bill to recoup the costs. "Upstate" NY summers aren't that long or brutal.

It may be loud for the neighbor, but unless they are filing noise complaints or it's really bothering you I wouldn't worry about it. It's been that way for years I'm guessing so I'm sure they are used to it. If not, let them install sound deadener in their walls or offer to help you pay for a new unit. Don't take the hit for a new unit because you feel guilty. It's not your responsibility to make their lives comfortable.

PS: My unit is sorta loud, but newer units aren't that much quieter when the sound ends up bouncing between two walls.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

If you're made of money stop reading here.

If your old unit is working fine, then run it until it's dead and can't be brought back to life (compressor failure). Older compressor units like the 34 year old Carrier at my house can and often last 40+ years before being unrepairable. It's louder than high end units but it's a tank. The newer ones last 15 years on average and you aren't likely to be saving a ton of money on your utility bill to recoup the costs. "Upstate" NY summers aren't that long or brutal.

It may be loud for the neighbor, but unless they are filing noise complaints or it's really bothering you I wouldn't worry about it. It's been that way for years I'm guessing so I'm sure they are used to it. If not, let them install sound deadener in their walls or offer to help you pay for a new unit. Don't take the hit for a new unit because you feel guilty. It's not your responsibility to make their lives comfortable.

PS: My unit is sorta loud, but newer units aren't that much quieter when the sound ends up bouncing between two walls.

+1

I think the replacement is likely to be just as noisey, unless something is wrong with the original.

I had a nearly 20 year old Trane compressor go out and replaced with a new mid grade Trane that touted its quietness, I paid a little extra for the model since it's near a bedroom. My house has more than one unit, and right next to the new condensing unit it is the identical "old" unit. The noise levels are close to the same.

I also have a smart meter where I can see how much power each unit is using. The newer one only uses a few hundred less watts, I doubt you're even talking $10 a month savings in the summer.

I replaced it because I had to, and have been happy with it, but I definitely would stick with what you have if you're replacing to get it quieter or to save money. It's probably going to be a "rounding error" in difference.

 

[Gcrop]

My Dad replaced his old R22 4 ton and 5 ton with new 410 Trane units (furnace and condenser) and the sound level is night and day. You can carry on a conversation next to the new units. He also replaced all of the windows in his house and his utility bill has been 70% what it used to be.

That said, it really can be a hit or miss. I have seen new units that were loud. The aforementioned 5 ton was a newer Heil and it was as loud as I have heard.

 

[pablo94sc]

He also replaced all of the windows in his house and his utility bill has been 70% what it used to be.

I bet the utility savings is mostly from the windows. The new units probably didn't do much to lower the bill unless the old ones were incorrectly sized and/or he lives in an area that needs constant A/C. You'd be amazed at how many people buy larger units than needed because they think it'll help cooling, and how many HVAC techs are willing to sell and install them. You'd also be amazed at the crappy duct work a lot of these guys run. A good HVAC tech is worth his/her weight in gold , and getting harder to come by it seems.

 

[Champ128]

Part of what makes the newer units more efficient also makes them quieter. A scroll compressor will be quieter and more efficient but more money. I think some of your better brand names help because they tend to use heavier metals than brands like Goodman.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

DC inverter compressors will be the quietest, use less energy and keep you more comfortable.

 

[Gcrop]

I bet the utility savings is mostly from the windows. The new units probably didn't do much to lower the bill unless the old ones were incorrectly sized and/or he lives in an area that needs constant A/C. You'd be amazed at how many people buy larger units than needed because they think it'll help cooling, and how many HVAC techs are willing to sell and install them. You'd also be amazed at the crappy duct work a lot of these guys run. A good HVAC tech is worth his/her weight in gold , and getting harder to come by it seems.

I've worked for Trane Memphis for 10+ years (though I do building automation for new commercial construction) so I have some friends that installed them right. The ductwork is original though obviously.

 

[Trey T]

my primary home has two American Standard units and they're very quiet, but I've always drawn into Goodman brand, even before Daikin holds the stake of the company.

I like Daikin because they offer DC inverter drive central air system, and I don't know if any other company currently offer them. My other home is due for new system and I'm planning to get Daikin 4ton, but not DC inverter though. Suppliers I deal with don't carry them yet.

 

[BD1]

Can your new unit be relocated ? I would think your existing is R 22 and the replacement would be 410A. If it is 410 normally the entire piping system and coil at the air handler [ evaporator ] is to be replaced. Most manufacture will not warranty unless all piping and coil is replaced.