Condenser Noise Reduction & Soundproofing
Many facilities suffer from loud condenser pumps and the vibrations they cause. Condensers at times can run constantly or periodically. When they are off and quiet all is well. But when they turn on noise levels can be upwards of 100 decibels or more. Condenser noise is easily mitigated with the appropriate products and know how.
The need to quiet a condenser can arise for a number of reasons. The location of the condenser may be too close to a space where people sleep, eat, or gather. Therefore, disrupting them when turned on. Or, in industrial environments it may be on for too long. It then may end up being harmful to employees and reduces productivity.
Condensers create two different types of noise, airborne and impact. Both noise sources are solved using different methods.
Condenser Airborne Noise
When condensers kick on, you can instantly hear them. The majority of the noise you hear is airborne noise. To combat airborne noise we need a noise or sound barrier to block it. For optimal noise reduction we recommend a full acoustic enclosure around the condenser. Meaning to surround all sides and above the condenser with barrier, as close as we can.
Additionally, we can work fans and ventilation into any designed enclosure. Condensers often require air flow to operate properly. When we design an enclosure, we take this into account. We design cutouts for fans and baffles to allow airflow in and out of the enclosure.
For extremely loud condensers, where considerable noise reduction is required, you may need a metal enclosure. Metal enclosures compared to curtain panels enclosures are more expensive but provide outstanding noise reduction.
Condenser Impact Noise
Condensers create impact noise when on hard surfaces. Sound travels through these hard surfaces and create vibrational sounds. To combat this noise, you need to isolate the noise source. We do this through various means and measures.
One way to reduce impact noise is to use a vibration isolation pad. This pad typically sits beneath a block that holds the condenser. The vibration isolation pads absorbs vibrations and noise so that it does not travel through the surface below.