I'm currently house hunting and I've come across a place that ticks a lot of my boxes, but the HVAC system is quite loud, especially in the dining and kitchen areas. There's a direct view from the air intake to the blower motor, and with a shallow crawl space, relocating the equipment isn't really an option. I'm wondering if there are ways to soundproof this noisy setup. I've read about some quieter HVAC options and DIY sound dampening techniques—anyone have suggestions or advice?
2 Answers
Honestly, you might get used to the noise over time, or you could invest a lot of money into fixing it. But keep in mind, it could take a while to adjust, especially with how often it turns on and off, which can be quite jarring at first.
Consider replacing the blower with a more efficient variable speed unit. These models generally operate much quieter than the standard ones and could make a noticeable difference in sound levels, even with its current location.
Thank you for this tip! So you're saying that the variable speed unit should really help with the noise, even though the blower is in such a loud spot? I’ll look for some videos to see how quiet they actually run.
That's fair—I'm hoping my offer could include some costs for improvements, since I'm not sure I can tolerate the noise as it is. Do you think a newer system or something like mini-splits could potentially solve the noise issue, or is that just wishful thinking?