What is the unit sitting on? Is there contact from the unit or pipes on the floor joist to make the noise resonate more? You can get a jacket to dampen the compressor noise, but I would look at the other things listed above. Did your installer listen to the unit and find it acceptable to other installations?
Geothermal heat pump install with crawlspace encapsulation
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BobRip
Elite Member
My builder did this on a previous house and on mine he built an ICF building attached to the side of our house to put the compressor in. It had to be insulated since it heated hot water.
I would start with the floor insulation. Cheap and easy. You could also box in the compressor with foam insulation.
I would start with the floor insulation. Cheap and easy. You could also box in the compressor with foam insulation.
OP
Country Geek
Gold Member
farmer2009
Elite Member
Would be willing to bet a little sound proofing insulation in the bays directly above the compressor would go along ways and be pretty cheap. Still may not be a bad idea to have installer listen to it. Just to make sure everything is correct.
s219
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No way I'd move it, certainly not without trying some sound insulation first. You can get Roxul (sp?) rock wool insulation at Lowes, and it is intended for sound insulation. Very good sound deadener. Stuff that into the cavities above the compressor unit. Double the batts if there is enough depth. If there's room, I'd also nail up a piece of OSB or drywall to the underside of the joists between the compressor and the insulation. Cover as wide of an area around the compressor with insulation and sheathing as you can. That way you will have multiple layers to damp the sound.
We have our vertical standing ClimateMaster unit in a closet in my workshop, which is really a garage bay. On the other side of the wall is our pantry closet, and then the kitchen. I can hear the compressor running from inside the pantry through an insulated wall, but it's not bad at all (not loud enough be an issue if that was a sleeping space). So I'd conclude that two layers of drywall and insulation are enough to alleviate the noise level.
Overall, one of the things I like about the geothermal the best is how quiet and inconspicuous it is. We got a ton of noise through windows of our old house from outdoor AC units, not to mention annoyance when outside on the patio. The geo unit at our new house is almost unnoticeable, especially after I installed a soft-start kit on the compressor. We don't see the lights flicker anymore when the geo unit starts up. The only way you know it's running is to hear the hallway thermostat click or feel air blowing through vents.
We have our vertical standing ClimateMaster unit in a closet in my workshop, which is really a garage bay. On the other side of the wall is our pantry closet, and then the kitchen. I can hear the compressor running from inside the pantry through an insulated wall, but it's not bad at all (not loud enough be an issue if that was a sleeping space). So I'd conclude that two layers of drywall and insulation are enough to alleviate the noise level.
Overall, one of the things I like about the geothermal the best is how quiet and inconspicuous it is. We got a ton of noise through windows of our old house from outdoor AC units, not to mention annoyance when outside on the patio. The geo unit at our new house is almost unnoticeable, especially after I installed a soft-start kit on the compressor. We don't see the lights flicker anymore when the geo unit starts up. The only way you know it's running is to hear the hallway thermostat click or feel air blowing through vents.
Before you do anything, if the installer is experienced, have him listen to it and see how it compares. Mine is about 12' away from my bed and doesn't bother me at all. It could be resonating off something or even have a mechanical issue to be creating excessive noise.
wngsprd
Super Member
Our ClimateMaster unit and loop pumps are under our bedroom in the crawl space and very quiet. The floor is insulated underneath, and the floor is carpeted, for comparison info.
davesl708
Elite Member
I installed Waterfurnace three years ago. The unit is in the basement where the old gas unit was. Sounds like a refrigerator when it runs. Don't know it is on when the tv or radio is on. Love it.
Energy cost dropped over $100.00 per month after install.
Highly recommend ground loop for anyone looking to replace their old system. I got rid of gas completely. Total electric and received a rate reduction from electric company. Total summer cost for the house is >$70 per month. Winter >$140 per month. This includes a hot tub.
Energy cost dropped over $100.00 per month after install.
Highly recommend ground loop for anyone looking to replace their old system. I got rid of gas completely. Total electric and received a rate reduction from electric company. Total summer cost for the house is >$70 per month. Winter >$140 per month. This includes a hot tub.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
I set mine on some rigid foam. Also, the compressors on mine came bolted down for shipping, and the bolts have to be removed for operation, so the compressor sits on springs. Check and make sure the compressor is not bolted down. I can hardly tell mine are running based on sound. And this reminds me, I need to replace the air filters.