How to Quiet an RV Air Conditioner

An air conditioner is a must-have equipment in a recreational vehicle (RV). RVs are susceptible to humidity caused by moisture and condensation from breathing users, cooking, and the drying of clothes. Without an air conditioner, the indoor air quality quickly deteriorates. Unfortunately, the tradeoff for clean air is often a noisy air conditioner. The noise can be so high that even holding a conversation becomes impossible. Below, we examine the reasons an RV AC unit becomes noisy and offer solutions on how to quiet an RV air conditioner.

Three Ways to Quiet an RV Air Conditioner

So how do you quiet an RV air conditioner? These are three ways to do it.

Regular Maintenance

Based on the reasons for the noise as explained above, it follows logically that one of the ways to quiet an RV air conditioner is to perform regular maintenance. You don’t have to be an electrician to maintain your AC unit. All you need is a few simple tools and elbow grease. Inspect your AC unit for loose or too tight bolts, worn rubber cushions, motor issues, and other problems at least once a month. Replace worn rubber cushions and if the motor bearings and bushes are worn, hire a technician to replace them.

Install an RV AC Silencer

If the noise is still too high for your liking after regular maintenance, consider installing an RV AC silencer to bring the noise down to under 50 decibels. There are many RV AC silencer models in the market. Most of them come with detailed do-it-yourself (DIY) installation instructions and are designed for easy installation without hiring a technician. However, make sure you buy the correct model for your AC unit. Better still, talk to the vendor to allow you to exchange the device if you purchase the wrong model.

Replace the AC Unit

Unfortunately with air conditioners, the older it gets, the louder it gets. Sometimes the only solution is a new unit. Replacing an RV air conditioner should be done by a professional. Shop around for a service provider and discuss the options available. Don’t just accept the model the technician suggests — do your research and check the reviews. 

Reasons for a Noisy RV Air Conditioner

While the emanation of sound from a running AC unit is normal, it should be a low whooshing sound. In technical terms, it shouldn’t be more than 50 decibels of ambient noise. This level of background noise is sufficient to hold a conversation. Anything higher calls for some investigative skills on your part. The problem is usually caused by one or more of the issues below.

Loose or Too Tight Mounting Bolts

Loose mounting bolts cause a racket. Inspect your unit for loose bolts and tighten them to make them snug, but don’t tighten them too much. If they are too tight, the unit’s vibrations dissipate into the RV’s frame. When the bolts are too tight, the noise can become unbearable when you set the air conditioner to run at full power.

So you may be wondering how to tell if you have done it just right. It comes down to trial and error. Run the AC and start tightening the bolts while listening for a reduction in sound intensity.

Worn Rubber Cushions

AC units come with rubber cushions to absorb vibrations within moving parts in the unit that sit between the AC and RV body frame. When these cushions wear out, your air conditioner becomes noisier. Check the rubber cushions for wear and tear and replace them to quiet the RV air conditioner.

Old Fan Motor

Aging fans are the cause of the loudest noise in an RV air conditioner. Over time, the AC motor bearings and bushes wear out and cause a screeching, squeaking, or roaring sound.

Conclusion

Is the noise from your RV air conditioner too loud? All the solutions we have outlined on how to quiet an RV air conditioner are easy to implement. Good luck!