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ddutatre
11-07-2005, 04:42 PM
I am looking at replacing my AC unit (condesing unit) and I would like to know what are the models/manufacturers that have the quiestest unit. I have looked on the lennox and Trane web site and I cannot make much sense of the decibels.

I know that less is better but, for instance, between a unit listed as 67db (lennox HSX15, their quietest unit) and one listed as 74db (like the Trane XL14 and XL15), it doesn't really speak to me.

I am guessing that the best would be to hear them but it is not really feasible.

What are your experiences?

Thx,

David.
Wild Leg
11-07-2005, 04:59 PM
A little reading:

http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm
docholiday
11-07-2005, 05:15 PM
As a reference...

a 3db reduction cuts the sound in half.

Also as a reference...

A lawn mower is about 86 db
A garbage disposal is about 84 db
A refrigerantor is about 70.
A box fan at low speed is about 68 db.
beenthere
11-07-2005, 05:32 PM
Originally posted by docholiday

A box fan at low speed is about 68 db.


How loud is it if I take it out of the box. :)
Mr Bill
11-07-2005, 05:42 PM
Originally posted by docholiday

A lawn mower is about 86 db


Would the db be lower in higher grass? :D
beenthere
11-07-2005, 05:47 PM
Any unit in the lower 70's or below will be very quit compared to most older units.

Why aren't you replacing the indoor unit, or evap coil atleast.
mam123
11-07-2005, 06:25 PM
I installed a Lennox HSX-15 for a customer with a matching evap coil and TXV this Summer. When I finished She came out and said that there must be a problem, because she could not hear the compressor run. I still had my gauges on the system, and I had to prove to her that the system was on. We could hold a conversation across the top of the condensing unit in normal volume - I was impressed.
BaldLoonie
11-07-2005, 09:02 PM
Go listen to the units. Your ears aren't test instruments. I've never trusted the sound ratings used on outdoor units. I've heard units rated 7.8 bels sound quiet and others rated 7.4 bels seem noisy.
dkinz
11-07-2005, 09:40 PM
Here's a thought, take a couple of long walks around your neighborhood and listen to the outdoor units. When you come across ones that sound quiet enough, ring the doorbell and tell them you live in the neighborhhod and want to put in a quiet A/C like theirs to improve the neighborhood. Ask to see what unit they have installed. Different units of the same volume can sound different, especially if they have different fan speeds. You want the one that sounds quietest, not that is quietest.

Of course you run the risk of walking by the best install if you can't even hear it. ;)
docholiday
11-07-2005, 09:43 PM
Originally posted by mrbillpro

Would the db be lower in higher grass? :D

Originally posted by beenthere

How loud is it if I take it out of the box. :)

Smart asses are about 95 db :D
beenthere
11-07-2005, 09:45 PM
LOL...


Hi Doc.
Wild Leg
11-07-2005, 10:28 PM
Originally posted by BaldLoonie
Go listen to the units. Your ears aren't test instruments. I've never trusted the sound ratings used on outdoor units. I've heard units rated 7.8 bels sound quiet and others rated 7.4 bels seem noisy.

This is good advice.

If a unit makes an irritating sound, it will be percieved as noisy, even if the decibel rating is fairly low.