In many areas of the contiguous United States, summers can be downright brutal. Truth be told, even in Canada and Alaska, it can get terribly hot in the summer months.
For those on the road or living in camp in RVs, high humidity and heat can make living tough going at best. That’s why RVs have air conditioners.
But, in addition to corralling air temperature and humidity inside an RV, air conditioners can be loud. In fact, in some instances, RV air conditioners can create almost as much noise inside the vehicle as a food mixer!
Fortunately, there are things you can do to help keep the noise down, and these are some of them.
Inspect the RV Air Conditioner’s Baffle
An RV air conditioner’s baffle is a structure with overlapping metal fins that helps to dampen the unit’s overall volume.
If you notice a louder than normal buzzing, humming, rattling, or chattering, it could be because the RV air conditioner baffle is damaged or some fins are bent or missing.
Inspect the unit and if there is any damage, replace the affected part.
Install a Noise Dampening Shell or Noise Blanket
Some RV air conditioners are compatible with noise dampening blankets that can substantially reduce volume. These install inside of the unit and should be installed by an HVAC professional.
However, you may be able to install a noise dampening shell around the outside of the unit without any assistance from a professional.
Replace Hardened Gaskets, Seals, or Rubber Cushions
RV air conditioners contain rubber gaskets and seals that can harden over time. When they harden, they can rattle and vibrate inside of the unit, creating excess noise.
Even worse is when the rubber cushions harden. RV air conditioners contain rubber cushions that help absorb and dampen vibrations. However, these can harden over time, too, creating extra noise.
Adjust the Mounting Bolts
The bolts that secure your AC system can both dampen and create noise. If they are too loose, the whole system will rattle. If they are too tight, the system will transmit vibrations into the frame of your RV, creating extra noise.
Make sure they are installed properly and are neither too loose nor too tight.
Install an AC Silencer
There are also RV AC silencers you can buy that can cut the decibel rating by about 8 to 10 decibels. A ten-decibel reduction cuts the volume in half.
Moreover, many of them can be installed in a few minutes with only a screwdriver and require no permanent modifications.
If these other methods don’t give you much respite from noisy RV air conditioning units, consider taking matters into your own hands and installing a silencing kit, to keep cool air flowing quietly.
Enlist Periodic Maintenance from HVAC Professionals
Another thing to keep in mind is that routine maintenance administered by a certified HVAC technician can help keep your AC unit pumping out cold air more efficiently and more quietly.
Of course, you want to do what you can on your own, like changing the air filter every few months, but both for the health of the system and for the ability to keep down the noise, make sure you have your AC system professionally serviced at least once per year.
Too Old? Replace the Whole System
Finally, one more bit of advice we can offer is if the system is old, just consider replacing the whole thing. It might be old and worn down and loud as a result, and could end up costing less to get a new unit than it would cost to replace all of the parts that you suspect might be causing extra noise.
Need RV Air Conditioner Parts?
Looking for RV air conditioner baffles, silencer kits, and other parts for repair or replacement? Visit RV Upgrades online at RVUpgradeStore.com. They carry a huge inventory of RV parts and accessories and have the experience to help you enjoy your time on the road all the more.
If you have any questions about any of these tips, get in touch with them at 866-332-7881.
