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.Both of these stories happen to be specifically about outdoor HVAC noise blocking, but this solution would work for any kind of outdoor noise. If the barrier will block the line of sight between you and noise source, it will block the sound as well.The 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.ac to dc converter basicsIn situations where there is no existing fence in which to mount a blanket, a turn-key approach may be taken. how to wire a hvac unitThe PrivacyShield™ Outdoor Enclosure is specifically designed to enclose residential machinery like pool pumps, HVAC heat pumps and generators. ac window unit plugAvailable 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 Palimore

Noisy neighbors, noisy equipment, generator noise, hvac noise, pool pump noise, drum room noise, home theaters, noisy pipes, and hundreds of other residential noise problems are solved with Acoustiblok's sound dampening and sound absorbing products. We would love to talk to you about your . Please complete the form below and indicate in the comment field whether you would like us to contact you via email or phone. We will follow up with you right away to make sure you are offered our best value - factory direct pricing!Things you need to know There are several types of air conditioners, each presents different problems regarding quieting, but generally most have some things in common. 1)  Older units are more noisy than newer units, mostly because they are near the end of their lives, while newer units are likely inherently quieter. 2)  Compressors make more noise than fans and when near worn out can be very difficult to quiet down. Replacement is the only option.

3)  Fan blades can make a lot of noise if coated with dirt through long use and can become imbalanced, causing bearings to go bad, adding to noise. Cleaning them can not only reduce sound, but add years to their lives. 4)  Sometimes it’s cheaper to replace a whole unit (even if it’s not yours!) than it is to try to remodel against the noise. These are difficult to quiet and many times it’s not the noise of the unit that’s the problem, it’s the noise that comes in when it’s OFF, because the air flows right through it from outside in and so does the sound of traffic, etc. If you removed the front vent panel and filter, you can see outside! Therefore, sound has an unimpeded path into the room. Such a condition can be helped by a shield fitted to the outside of the unit, thereby making the airflow and the sound take a right angle path into the air intake of the aircon. Lining the shield with sound absorbing closed cell foam will really help reduce sound coming in.

Your local sheet metal shop can make one for you if you give them the dimensions of the unit it to which it is to be fitted. These types move a lot of air and are usually pretty noisy, even when new. They tend to be large, because they cool (and sometimes heat) large areas. Because the sounds from them are loud and varied, (A combination of compressor and integral fan noise, as well as vibration), trying to soundproof them directly with material on them is usually fruitless and some sort of barrier/fence must be set up. If it is a roof mounted assembly, make sure there are adequate vibration pads under it to help reduce vibration transmitted into the roof. A noise barrier made of MLV can help reduce noise created and going down through the roof. If mounted on a concrete pad there will not be this kind of problem. Determine direction of the soundpath that is causing the problem and plan a fence barrier between it and the target of the sound. (A bedroom window, for instance).

Build a fence (no gaps in the slats!), at least 8′ high and 6′ wide that goes all the way to the ground as close to the unit as practical and line it with sound absorbent closed cell foam. 1″ thick is a good choice. If the soundpath is angling upwards, add a overhang to your fence to help block the path. If there is more than one soundpath, a fence in the shape of a “V” or even 3 sided like a “U” may be necessary. In some cases a boxed in area may be needed, complete with a roof to contain the sound. Access doors and ventilation will have to be planned for this type of solution. Some hints on how to baffle a noise source is here. Attic Fans and Air Conditioners: Some times it’s necessary to “Hang” these units from vibration mounts rather than set them on pads to reduce vibration to an acceptable level. When belts are used to drive the fans, problems can arise due to wear and aging of the assemblies and bearing blocks. Units that are comparatively quiet can become very annoying over time as loose parts begin to sound off.

Usually it’s necessary to add sound barrier and vibration absorbing mat around the installation to reduce sound transfer into the structure of the building. This is best done at initial installation rather than later when it will be much more difficult. Ducting needs to be covered with closed cell sound absorbing foam (not open cell foam), for sound and thermal insulation. Metal ducting needs to be physically isolated from the fan shroud or aircon unit with a flexible coupling. Otherwise is will re-radiate sound vibration along it’s length. Fiberglass or flexible ducting usually won’t have this problem, but will lose thermally if not insulated. Liquid soundproofing can be painted/sprayed on or in the metal ducting for even more sound vibration reduction. Vents are a problem if the design causes an air noise. To see if this is a problem, temporarily remove one to see if the sound level drops appreciably. Watch for vents to rooms that have a single common feed up through the wall- (or down through the floor to the ceiling below), if you can peer though the vent into the other side, it means sounds in one room will transfer to the other room.