AC and HVAC Noise!

[djwhog]

I would staple that link to relectx over your wall, then 2nd noise sheets as stated in last post.

This can go under sub floors to if you can get access, or under a 2nd layer too.

[oddeophile]

In a condo be careful you’re not violating an HOA regulation. I’d check your CC&R’s very carefully before proceeding with ant sub flooring etc. most HOA’s CC&R’s state the HOA owns everything up to the walls and some, like my old townhouse association owned everything on an “all in” basis. You couldn’t alter anything without association approval. Just sayin’ proceed with an open dialogue.

[Beet Farmer]

One huge area the noise comes in is the windows.
If you could get double glazed sealed glass.. they would really cut the noise.

[esteban]

Originally Posted by oddeophile

In a condo be careful you’re not violating an HOA regulation. I’d check your CC&R’s very carefully before proceeding with ant sub flooring etc. most HOA’s CC&R’s state the HOA owns everything up to the walls and some, like my old townhouse association owned everything on an “all in” basis. You couldn’t alter anything without association approval. Just sayin’ proceed with an open dialogue.

Thank you. This would all be considered interior work, on the *inside* of the unit (for example, adding a new floor on top of the existing one, or adding sound-proofing on top of the existing ceiling, etc), so there should be no problems.

[esteban]

Originally Posted by Beet Farmer

One huge area the noise comes in is the windows.
If you could get double glazed sealed glass.. they would really cut the noise.

We do have impact windows *and* I just installed a sound-proof window on top of that in the listening room. It really did help a lot. External noise dropped at least 75%, I would say. Problem now is that the window reduced the noise floor so much that all the other issues (ie: noise coming from other units through the ceiling and walls and floor) are even more audible.

[oddeophile]

Originally Posted by esteban

Thank you. This would all be considered interior work, on the *inside* of the unit (for example, adding a new floor on top of the existing one, or adding sound-proofing on top of the existing ceiling, etc), so there should be no problems.

Good. I just didn’t want you to run afoul of the board. It can get ugly. You’re definitely on the right track to avoid issues. Hoping it works. Nothing worse than that kind of issue out of your control. I had that in my townhouse with really horrid AC and grounding issues to work around. No longer now we retired in AZ in our own home.

Best of luck.

[Mouse]

I had a AC/HVAC noise in my basement listening area coming from my utility room which shares a wall.
What I did was install purple drywall, it's very heavy.
"SoundBreak XP™ Wall™ Board" and they also make ceiling version too.
I didn't touch the listening room, instead I put a layer in the utility room since the studs were showing on the utility room side.
In the cavity instead of using fiberglass insulation, I used rockwool insulation which is supposed to be better at absorbing sound.
For what it's worth, the sound was cut significantly even if I can still hear it with the radio off. With the radio on, it may have been contributing to the noise floor, but I couldn't hear it except watching movies with brief moments of silence.

Be prepared to pay. Purple drywall is about $80/4x8' sheet, and it's hard to carry and even harder to cut. It's two pieces or drywall glued together with a barrier in between. Lowes has a thin and cheaper solution too at around $50/sheet.

[Masterlu]