As outdoor temperatures increase, people kick on the a/c to decrease the temperatures inside. Sometimes though, air conditioning units are a little too noisy for comfort. Air conditioning blankets are one item intended to dampen noise from the compressor, but do they really work?
Air conditioning sound blankets insulate the machine to help reduce its noise output from 30 to 50 percent less audible. While they can be effective for all air conditioning units, they are more effective on newer units that haven’t had time to break down or because squeaky.
With the days getting hotter and hotter, how can you benefit from an air conditioner sound blanket? How is it that they work? Will they affect an air conditioner’s functionality? Let’s take a minute to answer these questions.
How do Sound Blankets Work?
Air conditioning blankets are available for both individual homes and commercial use. Many people appreciate their use as a cost-effective means of reducing unwanted noise from air conditioning and heating units, especially in areas with sound ordinances.
It is also cheaper to employ the use of a sound blanket than it is to pay for a newer, more quiet air conditioning unit altogether. Most sound-dampening blankets are also easy to install and do not require professional installation.
While the name evokes an image of a simple blanket or covering, sound blankets for air conditioners are actually a little bit more complex in their design.
Their use is fairly simple— air conditioner sound blankets are essentially covers that blanket the air conditioner’s compressor to limit the amount of sound that escapes. However, the way that they accomplish this is due to the science of their composition, rather than the “cover” portion.
Sound blankets dampen the amount of noise from an air conditioner through the use of layers of acoustic fiberglass insulation. These layers help to absorb sound waves, reducing the noise that escapes the compressor with each layer the sound wave passes through.
The outer rubber barrier of the sound blanket which houses the fiberglass insulation further contains the noise by providing a heavy barrier that makes it difficult for sound waves to escape.
By using a quality air conditioning sound blanket, homeowners can reduce the sound output of air conditioning units by thirty to fifty percent, with some sources claiming up to sixty-five percent decrease in noise.
There are, however, a few caveats to these predictions. The first is that sound blankets typically work best for newer air conditioning models. The older the air conditioning unit is, the less effective an average sound blanket will prove, as older units tend to have noisy fans whose noises are more difficult to contain.
Second, sound blankets will always be most effective when installed properly, making installation an important factor in their functionality. If the blanket is not properly installed, it does not function at maximum capacity.
This can sometimes be mistaken for a faulty product, driving some users to return the sound blanket or seek an alternative method of noise control. Before making any decisions, double-check to make sure everything is in order. Doing so could save you both time and money.
Do Sound Blankets Affect Temperature Output?
A common worry that may occur to those homeowners that are new to the use of air conditioning sound blankets may be that the sound blanket will negatively affect their unit’s temperature output.
While this concern is completely reasonable— you are, after all, covering a portion of the machinery with a thickly-insulated blanket— it is nothing to worry about. In fact, a sound blanket can even be a benefit to your air conditioning system.
Sound blankets are engineered so as to not impair airflow. Instead, the blanket works to actually insulate the compressor (in addition to insulating unwanted sounds), helping the unit to maintain a more consistent temperature.
This extra insulation also helps to prevent the formation of condensation on the compressor when conditions are humid. All of this serves to prolong or increase the lifespan of the compressor’s bearings.
That being said, the use of a sound blanket may decrease the temperature efficacy by a few degrees, but the difference is often too minute to be of note. Most homeowners who make use of an air conditioning sound-dampening blanket do not report any noticeable difference in temperature control.
Where Can I Buy a Sound Blanket?
Sound blankets can be purchased at a variety of stores. Most hardware or home goods stores, such as Lowes or the Home Depot will have some models of air conditioning sound blankets available.
You can also purchase a sound-dampening blanket directly from a manufacturer rather than through a proxy, such as this model from Brinmar. For many homeowners, the easiest of these is to use one of the many listings on Amazon.com.
When deciding which kind of sound blanket to purchase, there are lots of things to consider. Firstly, understand where the sound blanket will be in use. Is the unit indoors or outdoors? For outdoor models, you may want to consider a sound blanket that has higher weather resistance and durability.
Another aspect to look at is the temperature dictated by your environment. Do you live in a colder or warmer climate? There are sound blankets available for extreme temperatures in addition to average versions.
For especially noisy or old air conditioning units, you can purchase sound blankets intended to dampen louder, more obnoxious noises. There are sound blankets available for virtually every size and shape of air conditioner.
Observe the size and shape of your own air conditioning unit to decide which type of sound blanket to buy. Having an appropriately shaped and sized blanket can increase the efficacy of the product.
This Brinmar sound blanket model for sale on Amazon is a popular option for many home air conditioning units. It is also relatively cheaper than purchasing the same product from the manufacturing company itself.
Another highly-rated sound blanket is this Universal Compressor sound blanket, also available for purchase on Amazon.
