All air conditioners make some noise—though some are noisier than others. Below are three ways to get a relatively silent AC.

Install a System With Noise-reducing Features

AC manufacturers use different features to silence their products. Therefore, your first step to a silent AC is to buy one with noise-reducing features. Below are some of these noise-reducing features.

Variable Speed Blower

The AC blower blows cool air throughout your house. Traditional blowers operate at a single speed. Single-speed blowers switch on if your house needs cooling and switch off if the house doesn't require cooling. Such blowers run either at full speed or not at all. The full-speed operation generates considerable noise.

Some ACs have variable-speed blowers that operate at different speeds depending on your house's cooling needs. The blower can reduce its air output if your house's cooling needs drop, but you still need cooling. The reduced speeds lead to reduced noises.

Noise-reducing Fan Blade

The AC blower motor runs a fan that circulates to push air around. The fan's shape determines the volume of air it moves and the noise it produces. Some fans have blades with shapes that don't make much noise but still move the required air volume.

Compressor Insulation

The AC compressor compresses and heats gaseous refrigerant into a liquid to facilitate heat exchange. The compressor has an electric motor for the compression. The compressor motor runs as long as the AC is on and is relatively noisy. Quiet ACs have insulated compressors that dampen some of the noise.

Compressor Mounts

Some AC noises come not from its operations but from its vibrations. For example, the compressor motor sends vibrations through the compressor unit, which emanate as noise. Rubber mounts between the compressor unit and installation base absorb vibrations and silence your AC.

Ensure Proper Sizing

AC noises come from different parts of the system. The blower motor, fan, and duct, among other parts, all contribute to the noises. The bigger your AC is, the bigger the noisy parts are likely to be. For example, an AC meant for a four-bedroom house is likely noisier than a two-bedroom house.

You cannot choose a small AC to minimize noise. However, you can avoid installing a big system that is unnecessarily noisy. Use a professional AC contractor to size your system and avoid an oversized and unnecessarily noisier unit.

Maintain the System

Lastly, maintain your AC to ensure it maintains its original quiet operations. Over the years, the AC's wear and tear can make it noisier. For example, damaged motors and leaky ducts increase noise generation. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit can help deal with the issues and keep your AC silent.