How to Make a Portable Air Conditioner Quieter

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:13 PM

If you are new to the world of indoor cooling, you may wonder how to make a portable air conditioner, like a Shinco portable A/C, quieter. Some of the best air conditioners, after all, can be loud, particularly in their higher settings. That may prompt you to move your air conditioner unit. But if you can’t move it, you’ll need to contend with the noise. So how do you limit the noise? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Portable air conditioners make a lot of noise on their max settings, so try lowering these settings.
  • Make sure you clean or replace the air filters on the portable unit when they become clogged to reduce the noise.
  • You can also try wrapping the portable air conditioner in a noise-absorbing blanket, leaving room for the vents, thus reducing the level of vibration in the portable air conditioning unit.

Making a Portable Air Conditioner Quieter

If you are learning v, or some other types of air conditioner blow colder air, you’ve no doubt run into the issue of noise. Be they portable, standalone, great central A/Cs, or window units, noise is an issue when it comes to air conditioners. Here are some tried-and-true tips to reduce the noise so you can cool down in peace.

Insider Tip

Another simple way to reduce the noise of a portable AC is to place the unit on a surface that resists vibrations. There are mats for this purpose.

Run it on a Lower Setting

Just like when you are learning how to make an air conditioner with a fan, the higher the setting, the louder the appliance. In other words, reduce the noise by lowering the setting. Experiment with different settings to see what noise level you can handle and what temperature level you can handle. You’d be surprised at how powerful some of these portable ACs are. Even at their lowest settings they still provide plenty of cold air.

Replace or Clean Air Filters

When your air filters get clogged up with debris and dust, it forces the motor to work harder, which creates more noise during use. Minimize this noise by keeping up to date with all necessary filter-based maintenance tasks. Replace any HEPA filters every three months or so and clean any reusable filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions (every one to three months depending on the filter.) Keeping the filters maintained not only reduces noise but keeps the AC running at peak efficiency.

Absorb the Noise

If your portable AC is making an excessive amount of noise during use, absorb it with blankets or rugs. Simply wrap the unit in a thick blanket and let the natural insulation do its thing to reduce the noise level. Make sure to leave the ventilation ports uncovered.

Purchase a New Quieter Model

Your AC shouldn’t be making so much noise that it interrupts your daily life. If it is doing that, it could be time for a replacement. Buy a new portable air conditioner that is adequately soundproofed and advertises quiet use.

F.A.Q.S

Why is my portable AC making noise?

Many functions contribute to the noise of a BTU portable air conditioner, including the dehumidifier function, the window kit, fan speed, and internal vibration.


What parts of a portable AC unit generate the most noise?

For window air conditioners, the main culprit is the air compressor and motor. The same goes for portable units and mobile air conditioners.


What should you look out for in an AC?

Look for a washable filter, low DB levels, and a design that is energy efficient with an Energy Star rating. You should also look for a relatively light form factor and the ability to generate plenty of BTUs of cool air.



STAT: In 1558, Giambattista Della Porta described a method of chilling ice to temperatures far below its freezing point by mixing it with potassium nitrate (then called “nitre”) in his popular science book Natural Magic. (source)

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