New split AC System impact on sound.


I need to purchase a New split ac System (ie air handler in attic, Compressor outside). As with anything in this world so many complexities and my focus is to make things quiet when I’m listening to things.

Unfortunately, the compressor will be located outside of the room of my equipment. And I could choose a one stage or a variable stage heat pump that might be quieter. Anyone have recent experience and thoughts on how best to proceed for a moderately humid Area in the north east.

The problem with newer systems that I see is that the cooling coils don’t get as cold as they used to. Older R22 freon Systems which I currently have were more favorable toward reducing humidity in the home and the newer more environmentally friendly Freon varieties such as 410 and the newest 454b keep the coolant coil a little warmer which isn’t the greatest.

 

emergingsoul

Showing 1 response by panzrwagn

Installing anything but an heat pump, except in the most extreme climates, given the performance of modern heat pump technology, is simply wasteful. Our combined gas and electric bills in our new house, annualized, are almost half our previous house. December and January are higher, due to low temps requiring the use of the inline electric booster, but the rest of the year far lower and we have cooling, which our previous house in the Searrle area lacked.

As for noise, the heat pump is located outside and away from both the living room and theater as well as being mounted on a resilient base and ducted with a flexible coupling, is minimal. By avoiding flex tubing and hard coupling the ductwork to the structure, air handler noise is minimized. 

Older heat pumps were quite noisy. A previous neighbor located their heat pump about 30 ft from our master bedroom, and it sounded like a box of rocks in a washing machine. Just not the case anymore. Heat pumps have to meet strict noise requirements. Our new one is unobjectionable even when I'm standing next to it. 

The final advantage is up-front cost. Our heat pump total cost, installed was only 75% of the cost of a conventional furnace and A/C. No regrets, none.