Do you care so much that an air compressor is loud? If you want to know how to reduce the air compressor's noise level quickly and easily, read on!
Among your many tools, an air compressor stands out as an absolute must-have. Whether you need to fill your automobile’s tyres or operate a handful of air tools, an air compressor can simplify your life. Its adaptability in the garage is unparalleled.
Despite its many advantages, it has one major drawback: it can get extremely loud. That's why it's so important to know how to make an air compressor less noisy. Long-term exposure to the loud noises produced by this device can be both annoying and perhaps dangerous.
In this post, we will comprehensively explain how to silence an air compressor, allowing you to take advantage of this useful tool without distraction.
How Loud Are Air Compressors?
First, you should know that an air compressor makes a fair amount of noise. Keep in mind that there is a threshold beyond which noise exposure can be damaging to the ears and lead to hearing loss. Decibels (dB) are the standard for measuring loudness. Most people agree that 80 dB is the safest noise level for human ears. If the air compressor is any louder than that, you will find it difficult to use it. An extremely quiet air compressor will produce noise levels between 40 and 60 decibels, which is okay. Even without extra noise reduction technology, most modern air compressors are less than 70 dB. Even though 70 decibels are below the tolerance threshold, being subjected to it for an extended period is not going to be a pleasant experience. If you have an older air compressor, you should be prepared for noise levels that regularly exceed 80 dB and can even approach 95 dB in extreme cases. That is not an acceptable level of loudness, of course. Even if you have a particularly quiet air compressor, you still want to keep the noise level to a minimum when working in your house.
What makes an air compressor noisy?
A few potential issues could result in a noisy air compressor. Now that you have a basic understanding of the noise output of common compressor units, it may be helpful to investigate the root cause of the problem. The first step in solving the issue of the air compressor's excessive noise is to identify the source of the problem.
1. Caused by friction and vibration
High decibel levels in air compression typically result from vibration and friction. This is probably not the only factor to consider, but it is important nonetheless. The level of vibration varies with the specific model of air compressor being used. Keep in mind that an air compressor has many microscopic moving parts on the inside. The parts jiggle and rub against one another during operation. Furthermore, faulty construction is another common source of undesired vibration. Always double-check that you have assembled your unit correctly.
2. Components of an Air Compressor
Materials The type of material used in the air compressor is another factor that could contribute to the overall decibel level. Cheap and flimsy metal components of a unit make it more vulnerable to noise. As a result of their constant motion and subsequent vibration, the overall noise level rises. That's why you should always consider the air compressor's material quality. Thicker, higherquality metal will last longer and make much less noise than thinner, lower-quality metal. They assist keep the volume under control by reducing vibrations.
3. The Situation of the Air-Conditioning Unit
The ambient noise level might also be affected by the location of the air compressor. If you keep it in a room with solid walls, it could be much noisier than if the walls were padded. When considering noise, the floor's material is equally important. The noise from an air compressor is significantly amplified when it bounces off the hard walls of a basement or other similar areas. Because of this, an air compressor should not be placed in a space with poor acoustics.
4. Ventilation/Air Intake An air compressor's intake and exhaust can generate considerable noise. Since a compressor draws air from its surroundings, it can be quite noisy if you happen to be in the same room as one. The exhaust pipe or element can do the same if it is situated in the same room. The air compressor's exhaust system typically makes the most noise. This part also vibrates heavily, which further amplifies the noise.
The 7 Easy Steps to Silencing Your Air Compressor
Now that you have a better idea of what causes the noise from your air compressor, you can take steps to fix the problem. Thankfully, most of these methods are pretty straightforward to follow, and you should be able to minimise the noise by a substantial proportion if you follow a couple of them. However, there is no need to execute all of them simultaneously unless the noise is truly unpleasant. Here are some tricks to lessen the sound of your air compressor.
1. Grommets or feet made of rubber
Putting rubber grommets or feet between the surface and the bottom of the compressor is a simple solution to dampen some of the air compressor's noise output. Vibrational noise can be greatly diminished by using noise, as it is a naturally absorbent substance. The noise level won't be eliminated, but it should be much lower now. Rubber grommets can be found at any hardware store or pawn shop, making this a cheap and simple solution to the problem of excessive compressor noise.
2. Purge the Filters
Filters on an air compressor's intake prevent dust and other tiny particles from entering the machine. It's a safety measure that will keep your gadget in top shape for as long as possible. However, the unit's effectiveness drops and the noise level rises when the filter becomes dirty and clogged. Cleaning the air compressor's dust filter is a quick and easy way to lessen the unit's noise output. It ought to be one of the first things you check when trying to eliminate noise.
3. Apply Grease to the Wheels
Keep in mind that there are many bearings and other moving elements within an air compressor. Compressor operation results in bearing movement in opposite directions, which can result in friction and significant noise. The bearing noise on an older device might quickly become intolerable. By lubricating the bearings, this issue can be quickly remedied. Bearings can lose some of the lubricants they were sent with over time, which can increase friction. Compressor noise can be mitigated and service life lengthened by simply lubricating the bearings.
4. Place the intake outside the building
We have already established that the air compressor's intake is a major source of the annoying noise it makes. Moving the air compressor so that the intake is outside is a simple solution to a noisy intake. Creating an opening in the air compressor room big enough for the intake pipe to reach outside and pull in the air is one option. It is possible to eliminate noise from this source by plugging the hole with rubber putties.
5. Room Soundproofing
If you have the means to do so and wish to confine the air compressor's noise to a single room, soundproofing may be a good option. Sound-absorbing materials like plasterboard or thick blankets should be used to insulate the wall of the room housing the air compressor. This would prevent the air compressor's noise from spreading throughout the house. In addition, if a room is properly soundproofed, noise generated within it will not be amplified. The reverberation of air compressor noise off of hard surfaces is the most bothersome aspect of this noise, and soundproofing will solve this problem.
6. Air Compressor Isolation
You can avoid the hassle and expense of soundproofing altogether by using an isolation box instead. The air compressor is contained within a compact box with thick padding, effectively isolating it from the rest of the room. Most audio engineers and producers will utilise an isolation box to separate the signal from an amplifier. The concept is identical when applied to an air compressor, and it can do wonders for lowering that machine's ambient noise.
7. A Blanket
Covering the air compressor with a blanket on both the bottom and top can help muffle its sound. It's possible that this quick remedy won't be as effective as others on this list, but it's hard to argue with the fact that it's simple to do in an emergency. To effectively muffle the sound of a compressor, use the heaviest blanket you can find. A big blanket should be placed over the compressor and a thick rug or blanket should be placed underneath it to completely encase the compressor.
8. Use of Hearing Protectors
We both know that this is not an air compressor repair but rather a personal one. However, it remains one of the most efficient methods for simplifying air compressor use. If you're a DIYer who likes to operate with an air compressor, you should always protect your hearing by donning earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. While this may not lessen the compressor's total noise, it will guarantee that you have a quieter environment in which to complete your task.
9. Simply Upgrade to a Quieter Device
It's time to face the bullet and buy a new compressor if none of the other solutions have worked. All of these tactics should help with the noise, but sometimes a compressor is just too noisy to manage. Instead of wasting time and energy trying to mend something that is broken beyond repair, it is usually best to just get a new one. If you decide to upgrade, look for a machine that produces no more than 70 dB of noise.
By Conclusion
We have high hopes that our instructions on how to reduce the noise produced by an air compressor will be of use to you in dealing with the clamorous output of your device. You should be able to bring down the noise level and experience a productive workflow with your air compressor if you follow through with a handful of the measures outlined above
