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In other words, the advertised sound (dB) is the AC running under perfect conditions. The AC's indoor fan is running at the lowest setting.The size of the AC is the quietest size (probably a smaller size).Remember that any sound rating you see implies two things: How AC size and fan speed affect sound levels Insulated base pan - An addition of a pan underneath the air conditioner designed to reduce noise and resist corrosion.Noise-reducing fan blades - A fan blade design designed to reduce the outdoor unit’s noise.Compressor insulation - A separate compartment or enclosure that covers the compressor to reduce the outdoor unit’s noise.This improves comfort, lowers energy bills and, of course, lets the AC run at quieter speeds. Variable speed fan - The indoor unit’s fan can operate at different speeds depending on your comfort needs.If you can’t find an AC’s sound level, look for certain features that imply quietness, including: So, if you’re looking for a quiet AC, make sure it’s within 50 to 60 dB. 80 dB (twice as loud as 70 dB) - Running a garbage disposal.70 dB (upper 70s are annoyingly loud) - Running a vacuum cleaner.60 dB (1/2 as loud as 70 dB, fairly quiet) - Conversation at a restaurant.50 dB (1/4th as loud as 70 dB) - Quiet conversation at home.OK, so what do those numbers mean, though? How loud is 65 or 56 decibels? How will you know if the AC is quiet enough for you?įor a frame of reference, Purdue University’s Chemistry Department gives you examples of noise sources for each decibel level: Understanding air conditioner sound levels As of 2015, some of the quietest ACs include: Note: It says “as low as.” Which means it’s the lowest decibel level achieved from the quietest size within each model group during low fan-speed operation.Ĭurrently, the 50-60 dB range is as quiet as an air conditioner can get.