Loud air handler

4 years ago

I recently bought a house built in the 70s and this is my first summer living in it (in az). The air handler is in the center of my house off of the living room in its own closet.

I’ve never lived in a house with the handler on the ground floor, every house I’ve lived in has had it in the attic. This thing is so loud and with it being right off the living room, you really have to blast the tv, which disturbs anyone in adjacent rooms. You can’t even hear what someone is saying unless they’re 3 feet from you.

I’m honestly considering paying to have the roof raised as there’s no way to move it to the attic as is. The walls are 8 ft and the attic is about 24 inches in the tallest spot, so raising it is my only option. The roof was replaced in the last 5 years, so can anyone tell me a rough number of what this would cost? The house is about 1,800 sq ft.

Or does anyone have advice on how to soften the noise? With az summers, it’ll be running 24/7 to keep the house cool.

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Comments (2)

sktn77a
4 years ago
Furnace noise principally comes from two sources - the bower motor (less common) or airflow/velocity (more common). You furnace may have a noisy motor/blower but more likely the noise is caused by air rushing through the unit and ductwork. Two possible solutions: decrease the blower speed (may on may not be possible/advisable) or increase the duct size.

I would investigate these options before blowing off the roof!
Elmer J Fudd
4 years ago
You're fortunate that the air handler is not in the attic - how stupid that common practice is, especially in places where summertime attic temperatures get well above 110 degrees or more.

Keep it where it is and be happy how much money and added comfort that provides. How old is it? Maybe it's time for a new one? Air movement shouldn't sound like more than a whoosh. Newer ones can be quieter.

I agree with the comment about having an expert look at it for speed and duct sizes. An additional measure that could be useful would be to beef up the sound insulation and isolation of this space. If the return air point is a grill opening in the door or adjacent wall (as is sometimes done), think about having a duct installed (even if an exposed one) to move that sound emanating point away from the closet. That will help too.
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