Soundproofing Noisy Pool Pumps, & Air Con compressors etc

Got a noisy pool pump, air conditioning compressor, generator or other machinery?

We hear this complaint daily. ” HELP! The sound of my pool pump or air conditioning compressor is driving me crazy, I can’t sleep, what can I do?”

Sometimes the sound levels can be extreme, but don’t worry, there’s a fix to all noisy pool pumps, air con units and other machinery.

The first step to reducing the sound levels from noisy pool pumps or aircon units is to build a simple box around the offending machinery.

Leave plenty of space between the compressor, pool pump or generator and the sides of the box, at least 30cm.

We like to use a simple steel frame with marine ply to construct the box, especially if it will be exposed to the weather.

A simple steel frame cover for the pool pump

Maintain airflow.

Most pool pumps or compressors will need to maintain airflow around them. Generators will need access to air intake.

This can be achieved by cutting slots into 2 sides of the box to allow the machinery to still access airflow. Alternatively, you can leave 1 side of the box open. Just be sure to cut the slots or leave the side open that faces away from noise sensitive areas.

Leave the side open that faces away from noise sensitive areas.

Sound Blocking

Now that we have a good sturdy box, we need to line the inside of the box with Mass Loaded Vinyl.

MLV is a very thin layer of high density vinyl that has very good sound blocking potential. Especially at mid to high frequencies.

The purpose of the Mass Loaded Vinyl is to reduce the sound that travels through the box.

Line the inside of the box with Mass Loaded Vinyl

See MLV here: https://www.soundproofingproducts.com.au/product-category/mass-loaded-vinyl/

Sound Dampening:

Now we have a soundproof box, the next step is to reduce the sound bouncing around inside the box.

To do this, add a layer of sound deadening material over the top of the Mass Loaded Vinyl.

Medium to high density acoustically absorbent material like 60kg / m3 50mm rockwool or 50mm pink batts is ideal. This can be attached to the MLV using general purpose adhesive.

See the Pinkbatts here: https://www.soundproofingproducts.com.au/product/pink-soundbreak-acoustic-insulation-batts/

Voila, now your noisy pool pump, compressor or generator is less annoying! Enjoy the sleep you’ll get now.

Ok, but what to do if you don’t have access to the compressor, pool pump or generator? Let’s say for instance your neighbor has just installed a noisy compressor or pool pump in their garden?

Obviously, if you’re on good terms, then asking your neighbor to soundproof their compressor as above is the first choice. But, failing that you can take steps to reduce the amount of noise that intrudes into your world.

For some unknown reason, it seems like neighbors always seem to install their new, noisy pool pump or AC compressor far from their house, and close the fence with their neighbors! We like to think this is just a quirk of nature rather than intentional malice. But anyway…..

So what can you do?

The simplest solution is to add mass between the noisy compressor and your home. Often this is best done at your fence. You can line your fence with layers of Mass Loaded Vinyl. The more you add, the less sound that will come through (and by contrast, the more sound that will be reflected back towards your neighbor)

The important thing to remember is that the sound from the noisy pool pump or compressor will be radiating in all directions. If you draw a straight line from the pool pump at every angle towards your home, these are all the places where the sound will be heard on your side of the fence.

The goal will be to add as much Mass Loaded Vinyl to your fence as is necessary to cover as many of these angles as possible.

Once you’ve attached the mass Loaded Vinyl to the fence, remember to paint it with normal outdoor UV protection paint.

Soundproofing Products Australia online store sells a wide range of thermal and acoustic insulation products. We also sell Mass Loaded Vinyl, Nuwrap Pipe Lagging Insulation, Polyester Insulation, Fibertex Rock-wool, Knauf Earthwool, Fletchers Pink Batts, and Bradford Acoustic Batts.

If you have any questions or require a particular delivery quotation, don’t hesitate to Contact Us! You can also get a free obligation quote. Check out other insulation supplies in Soundproofing Products Australia

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