| Perhaps the most widely used air conditioners | | | | Regular maintenance can reduce the noise to |
| are the window air conditioners. They are | | | | some extent but with the passing of time, |
| quite popular for heating and cooling in both | | | | there is bound to be an increase in the level |
| domestic and commercial premises. The basic | | | | of the noise. |
| advantage of a window air conditioner is that | | | | |
| unlike the central air conditioners and the | | | | You should check whether your window air |
| split air conditioners, it fits well in the | | | | conditioner is vibrating or producing a |
| window giving a good look and it does not | | | | rattling noise and if so, then it is not a |
| occupy any space of the room at all. | | | | normal situation. The reason for this can be |
| | | | improper installation or loose side panels. |
| Moreover, window air conditioners do not need | | | | If, however, you hear a scraping noise, you |
| to be shifted every now and then from one | | | | should either take the help of an authorized |
| place to the other. However, like any other | | | | service provider or you can also try to find |
| air conditioning equipment, it produces | | | | out the cause and repair it yourself. |
| noise, the intensity of which differs with | | | | |
| the type and size of the window air | | | | The following steps can help you in tracking |
| conditioners. Constant noise can indeed be | | | | the fault and repairing it: |
| very disturbing and distressing to the home | | | | |
| and surrounding residents. | | | | You should tighten the screws holding the |
| | | | front panel onto the unit. You should check |
| It is, therefore, advisable for the consumer | | | | carefully the window all round the unit. You |
| to compare window air conditioners by | | | | should then turn the window air conditioner |
| checking the sound power level labels on the | | | | on and press your hand against the sash. If |
| unit or in the literature specifications. The | | | | you find that as you press your hand against |
| noise levels are often given in decibel | | | | the sash, the sound changes in pitch, then |
| ratings and the higher the decibel level, the | | | | you should put some wooden shims in the gap |
| louder the unit will be. The sound pressure | | | | between the window air conditioners frame and |
| increases by a factor of ten for every | | | | the sash. If, however, the pitch of the noise |
| 10-decibel increase. For example, 60 Decibels | | | | changes when you press your hand on the |
| is 10 times louder than 50 Decibels and 100 | | | | glass, you should use some insulating |
| times louder than 40 Decibels. | | | | cellophane tape between the glass and the |
| | | | frame. You might have to use putty if that |
| The compressor and the fan are combined in a | | | | does not reduce the noise. |
| single unit and mounted in the window air | | | | |
| conditioners and this is the source of all | | | | If you feel that the sound is originating |
| the noise in the air conditioner. The other | | | | from within the unit, you should take the |
| causes of noise could be worn bearings, | | | | unit out of the window and check to see if |
| cabinet rattles, dirty or rusty fan blades, | | | | the fan blades are bent. If so, just bend |
| worn rubber mountings and compressor wear. | | | | them back so that they match the others. |