The air compressors have a number of things in common and one of them is making noise that is really disturbing for everyone. Especially the cheaper or budget choices in the market make the loudest noise. Although there are quieter models available in the market but they cost a fortune so we will try to look for solutions that could make life easier for you with any air compressor model.
You would be able to find out how to quiet an air compressor and all you need to just read the whole thing.
There are different methods and tricks that can be used to lower the noise almost making it so minimal that you won’t even notice. You would be able to transform your air compressor from a noisemaker to a silent machine.
Even the slightest of difference can make a huge impact and you don’t have to risk your hearing ability along with making the home environment more peaceful. We have gone through the opinions of various experts to create a list of tips and tricks in this regard and all the ideas are DIY so you don’t need an outsider’s help.
Due to Covid-19, many places are under lockdown so it is difficult to get to the technicians. You have to find solutions that are easy to implement and we are going to tell you all of such solutions. Let’s get into the details right away. You may also check our article on how to quiet a generator.
Intake Silencer
It is an exquisite device to curb annoying noise coming out of the air compressor. The noise is caused by the air intake when the compressor rotates and air passes through a flapper or a reed valve. The air rattles the valve and the vibration on each pulse cause this noise.
The air intake parts are made from an air filter and a silencer. The sound of the intake air is minimized with the help of the silencer and an input silencer would reduce the pulse noise created by the air. When you have to purchase an intake silencer you need to know the thread size on the intake head. These intake silencers have different standard male pipe thread sizes.
Even if you don’t get a fitting intake silencer you can use a short pipe nipple or bell reducers for fitting a larger sized silencer. Try not to use a smaller sized silencer because it would hinder the working of the air compressor. You can experiment with different silencers to find out which one is best for your device.
Try to read our other article on how to quiet a noisy air conditioner.
Isolating Compressor
You have to isolate the compressor because the rigid connections can result in creating a lot of radiated noise. Using rubber isolation mounts for an air compressor can be a great idea. If you have used rigid plumbing you can utilize a flexible air hose for bridging the compressor and plumbing.
A rubber cord can also be used for the power connections when there is no rigid conduit involved with the compressor. It also depends on the type of compressor you are using. These rubbers are budget devices so you don’t have to spend much and the noise problem is resolved instantly.
Compressor Deading Devices
When the air compressor is present in a room the walls increase the noise as they reflect it. It is the same case with any such material in the room and you need to watch out before fitting the compressor near a corner of the wall. One of the bright ideas is to cover the walls or the surrounding area of the compressor with sound-absorbing material to reduce the noise.
Such material is easily available in the market or online and it is a really effective solution.
Fix the Air Compressor Away from Your Space
It would be great if you can put the air compressor away from your living space. You don’t need to install anywhere near you and you will notice a considerable decrease in the noise.
You can make use of a longer air hose so that it can reach your area while the compressor is not anywhere near your location. According to different reports, you can decrease the noise by 1/4th if the compressor is located away from your room.
A Soundproof Box
Soundproof boxes are available in the market and even if you can’t find one you can create one at your home. The soundproof box covers the entire device and it would absorb most of the noise. A soundproof box can also be created by covering all the surrounding areas like walls and floor with acoustical material that would absorb the noise.
The box can be constructed by different kinds of material and tiles. You would find a lot of ideas online so you may have to do a bit of research. You can utilize the insulation foam that comes with the refrigerator or similar devices to cover the device and make a significant difference. You may also check on How to Quiet a Noisy Refrigerator Compressor?
You just have to be careful about keeping the airflow intact when it comes to the compressor because you may have to face overheating otherwise. The ventilation system has to be on point and a simple exhaust fan will do the job to let the cooler air in and get the heat out.
Be careful regarding the insulation material and don’t put it anywhere near the air tank. The air tank needs to remain uninsulated to perform properly as it condenses the moisture in the heated compressed air generated by the pump.
Conclusion
We hope that the tips we have provided will help you minimize the noise of the air compressor. It may take some time but these solutions are effective and you would feel the results in a few days after implementing one of these techniques.
Although it is difficult to achieve total noise cancellation with the old air compressor models but it could be rendered bearable. It is a trade-off and if you want to have a silent machine you may have to go for the advanced models with built-in silencers.
Do let us know about your experience as we would love to know about the results so we can improve the content if required.
You may also check on How to Quiet a Noisy Air Return?
