a guide to buying and operating an air conditioner

A Guide to Buying andOperating an Air Conditioner

This initiative is part of Living in Brisbane 2010 – a vision for our city’s future

REDUCE NOISE, AVOID COMPLAINTSAND COSTLY MISTAKES

BCC7042 Aircon vis RG cover 23/3/04 4:39 PM

Air conditioning– making theright choiceBuying and installing the rightair conditioning system for yourhome can save you money andreduce noise pollution.

Air conditioners can cause noiseimpacts on neighboursif not selected, located andinstalled properly. In someinstances, Council can issue on-the-spot fines, or direct that theair conditioner not be used if itis installed in a location thatcauses noise annoyanceto neighbours.

Before buying a new airconditioner, think aboutthe following issues:

• Have you consideredalternatives to cool your homesuch as roof top vents or ceiling fans?

• Does the house haveinsulation in the roof?

• Will the air conditionercool/heat the whole house oronly particular rooms?

• What is the most energyefficient air conditioner forthe job?

• How loud will the airconditioner be outside,where will it be located and willit annoy the neighbours?

Plan your purchase,installation and operationof the air conditioningsystem properly andavoid expensive hasslesand conflict with yourneighbours.

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This guide has been developed byBrisbane City Council to providesimple residential air conditioningtips to reduce potential noisecomplaints between neighbours.

Council provides a range ofinformation, including fact sheets,to assist you in making aninformed choice when purchasingand operating a new airconditioner.

These include:

• Air Conditioning EquipmentNoise Fact Sheet

• Green Home Guide

To download more information,go to www.ourbrisbane.com andclick on the Council logo to enterthe internet site.

Cool TipSave money and reduce

noise by ensuring your houseis adequately insulated.

How to use this guide

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Contents page

Things to consider before you buy............................4

Noise laws ...........................................................5

Before buying an air conditioner ..............................7

When buying an air conditioner ...............................7

When installing an air conditioner...........................12

Ongoing maintenance...........................................14

What to do if you have a noisy air conditioner...........16

Where to get more help........................................19

Air conditioner checklist .......................................20

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Things toconsider beforeyou buyThere are a number of simple lowcost things that you can do beforedeciding to buy an air conditioner.These tips will reduce the costand ongoing operation of the airconditioner, reduce potentialnoise complaints and make yourhome a more comfortable place to live.

• Make sure the house is wellinsulated.

• Paint the exterior of your homein a light colour to reflect heatfrom the sun.

• Select a light-coloured roof.

• Consider the use of vegetationor awnings to screen windowsfrom the western sun.

• Considering these simple stepsbefore you buy may reduce thesize of air conditioner needed tocool or heat your house.

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• Buying the correct size airconditioner will reduce yourinitial and ongoing operationcosts, and potential noise impactson your neighbours.

For further information and smarttips on reducing yourair conditioning costs and makingyour home a more comfortableand sustainable place to live, referto Council’s Green Home Guide.

Noise lawsThe Environmental ProtectionRegulation 1998 includes noiselimits for air conditioners.Brisbane City Council isresponsible for enforcing theselimits at houses and units. If anair conditioner exceeds noiselimits, Council may issue theowner or operator with an on-the-spot fine.

Cool TipProper planning beforeyou buy will save youtime and expensive

hassles.

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The allowable noise levels are:

7:00am to 10:00pm – Noise nolouder than 50 decibels

10:00pm to 7:00am – Noise nolouder than 5 decibels abovebackground noise or 40 decibels(whichever is higher)

If a complaint is made to Councilabout noise from an airconditioner which is below theallowable noise levels, Councilmay still take action by issuingthe operator of the air conditioner

with a notice. Therefore it isimportant to buy the quietest airconditioner possible, have itinstalled as far away from yourneighbours house as possible andkeep it properly maintained.

Labelling

Every domestic air conditionersold in Queensland must have alabel clearly displayed that showsthe Sound Power Level (Lw).

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Some air conditioners may alsohave Sound Pressure Levels (Lp)stated on the label. This numberis different from the Sound PowerLevel.

The Sound Power Level will giveyou an indication of how noisythe air conditioner will be outsideyour house. The bigger thenumber, the louder the airconditioning unit will be.

Before buying anair conditionerInsulation

Always insulate your home beforedeciding to install an airconditioner. By installinginsulation, you may reduce thesize of the air conditioner requiredand make up-front savings on thepurchase price.

By insulating your house, coolingand heating your home willbecome more energy efficient, andwill reduce the ongoing operatingcosts of your air conditioner.

Consider reverse cycle

Consider purchasing a reversecycle air conditioner for heatingand cooling. Reverse cycle airconditioners can be up to threetimes more efficient andeconomical to run thanconventional radiant heaters.

When buying anair conditionerWhen buying a new airconditioning system for yourhome, there are a number ofthings to consider to reduce up-front and ongoing costs and thepotential noise impact on yourneighbours.

Consider alternatives or ways ofreducing your need for an airconditioner. In addition toinsulation, you might considerinstalling roof top vents andceiling fans.

Cool TipBUY QUIET – Shop around

for the quietest model(compare Sound Power

Levels) and consider wherethe air conditioner will be

installed.

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Air conditioning thewhole house, or just afew rooms?

It is important to plan yourair conditioning needs. Do youwant to air condition the wholehouse, or just a single room?

When air conditioning a singleroom, buy only the size needed tocool a single room. Trying to coolmultiple rooms with an undersizedair conditioner will causeunwanted noise nuisance, costlyongoing maintenance and long-term motor burnout.

When planning to air conditionmultiple rooms or the wholehouse, plan where the bestlocation for the air conditioningunit’s motor components will be.This will help minimise anypotential noise impact onneighbours.

Remember: Your airconditioner may seem quietinside, but equipment installedoutside may cause noise nuisanceto your neighbours.

What type of airconditioner will you need?

There are a number of differenttypes of air conditioners currentlyon the market. These includewall/window mounted units, splitsystems and ducted system unitsto name a few. All types haveadvantages and disadvantages.

Wall/window mounted airconditioners are usually fitted in aspecially cut opening through awindow or wall. All heatingand/or cooling and circulationcomponents are housed inside asingle box.

Wall/Window Mount Air Conditioner

BedroomOne

BedroomThree

BedroomTwo

Kitchen

Dining Room

Rumpus Room

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Cool TipThe installation of an air conditioner

should be carried out by anappropriately qualified/licensed

contractor.


This type of air conditioner isusually mounted high in thewindow/wall of the room to be airconditioned. This will increasethe risk of noise nuisance toneighbouring properties if themotor is close to bedrooms orrelaxation areas.

Split-system air conditionershave two functioningcomponents. These include theevaporator/control panel, which islocated within your house, andthe compressor/condenser/fan section which is usuallylocated on the outside wall of theroom to be air conditioned. Oneadvantage of this type of airconditioner is that there is moreflexibility on where the outsidemotor/fan section can be located.

Ducted system air conditionerscan be efficient to operate. Thesetypes of systems are best designedand installed by a specialist airconditioning dealer or contractor.

Ducted systems can be designedwith multiple zones. This meansyou can air condition all of thehome, or various zones at differenttimes of the day.

Ducted air conditioners havethree main components.

• Compressor/motor/outdoor fan section (usually locatedoutside).

• Indoor section comprisingindoor fan and other electriccontrols.

• Zone control box which controlsthe air flow to each of theselected ducts.

Ducted Air Conditioner

Cool TipThere are a number of different

types of air conditioning systems.Choose the one that will best suit

your needs.

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Split-system Air Conditioner


While ducted systems can bemore expensive than other typesof air conditioners, they havemany advantages over other types,such as greater flexibility in wherenoise-generating equipment canbe located. They are also better atdistributing cool/warm air aroundthe house.

Shop around for thequietest model

As mentioned earlier, check theair conditioner label to see whatnoise the unit will make. Allresidential air conditioners sold inQueensland (up to 12Kw) arerequired by law to be labelledwith the Sound Power Level(Lw), which is measured indecibels (dB). The higher thesound power level, the louder theair conditioning unit will be.

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Different types of air conditionerswill have different sound powerlevels. Generally the bigger themotor on each air conditionertype, the greater the noise level ofthe motor.

Noisier air conditioners will needto either be located away fromneighbours, or may require aproperly constructed noiseenclosure to make them quieter.

Where will the airconditioner be installed?

Consider where the airconditioner is likely to beinstalled. Some air conditioningsystems are quieter than othersand some have more flexibility inwhere they can be located.

Air conditioners should not belocated adjacent to neighbour’swindows, bedrooms or livingareas.

Split systems have more flexibilityin the way they are installed. Theoutside unit can be located closerto the ground. This allows fencesand barriers to be used to screenthe noise from the unit.

Ducted systems have the mostflexibility. The system can bedesigned to locate the noisyequipment in a more suitablelocation away from neighbours.

Make sure you consider how closeyour air conditioner will be toyour neighbours before decidingwhat type of air conditioner topurchase.

Wrong

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When installingan airconditionerPlan your installation

When having a new airconditioner installed, make surethat you take noise issues intoconsideration. Installation costsfor a typical air conditioningsystem can be a significantpercentage of the overall cost.

It could turn out to be anexpensive mistake if not plannedproperly.

If noise complaints are received,Council can direct that the airconditioner be moved, or anexpensive sound enclosure be putin place. Council can also issueon-the-spot fines, or direct thatthe air conditioner be switched offor not be used, if it is causingsignificant annoyance toneighbours.

A good idea in planning a new airconditioning system is to sketchyour house and your neighbour’shouse and locate any airconditioning units as far awayfrom your neighbour’s bedroom orsleeping areas as possible.

Cool TipTake the time and effort

to properly plan thelocation and installationof your air conditionerto avoid complaints.

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A/C

Your house Neighbour’s house


Make use of barriersfor screening

Just as light reflects from shinysurfaces, noise can be reflectedfrom hard surfaces ontoneighbours.

Avoid locating your airconditioner near multiplereflective surfaces such aswalls and eaves.

Existing barriers such as fencesand garden walls can be used toeffectively screen noise fromneighbours. It is important to

make sure that any barriers usedto screen neighbours from noiseblocks the line of sight of the airconditioner and does not containany holes or gaps.

A solid fence, which completelyblocks line-of-sight of the airconditioner and contains no gaps,may help you to reduce your airconditioner noise to acceptablelimits.

Noise can reflect fromhard surfaces such as walls

and eaves

Cool TipMake use of existingsolid fences to screenneighbours from noisy

equipment.

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A/C

Too many holes and gaps Solid wall with no gaps

Try and avoid multiple reflectivesurfaces when an air conditioner

is facing neighbours

A/C


Checklist when installingan air conditioner

• Engage a reputable airconditioning installer withexperience, training and anapproved licence who has anunderstanding of noise issuesassociated with air conditioning.

• Make sure noisy airconditioning units are locatedaway from neighbours’ bedroomsand living areas.

• Avoid locating noisy equipmentnext to multiple reflective surfacessuch as corners and eaves.

• Make use of barriers such assolid fences and retaining walls toscreen neighbours from noisyequipment.

• Consider the up-frontinstallation of acoustic enclosureswhen the air conditioning unitmust be located close toneighbours.

• Discuss noise issues withprofessional installers and makesure you make an informeddecision before the air conditioneris installed.

OngoingmaintenanceIn order to keep your airconditioning system operatingefficiently and effectively, simplesteps can be taken to increase itslife and minimise long-term noise.

Noise from an air conditionermotor can increase over time dueto things like worn bearings orrubber mounts, loose panels orfasteners, damaged fan blades, or aworn compressor.

Cool TipUse the checklist provided anddiscuss all issues with your airconditioner installer before the

air conditioner is installed.

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Make sure the air conditioner ismounted in a secure place and allfasteners are secure. Also makesure that all vegetation is clearedaway from fan blades andadequate ventilation is providedto prevent overheating.

Simple steps to reduce noise.

• Keep fan blades clear ofvegetation and debris.

• Regularly check rubber mountsand mounting brackets.

• Regularly check panels andcomponents for excessivevibration.

All air conditionersshould be maintainedand serviced in accordancewith manufacturer’srecommendations bya suitably qualifiedtechnician.

Cool TipSimple ongoing

maintenance will helpto reduce noise andincrease the life ofthe air conditioner.


What to do ifyou have a noisyair conditionerIf you have an existing airconditioner that is causing noisenuisance, there are a number ofsimple cost effective solutions youcan try to reduce the noise.

Maintenance

• Check to make sure that allfixtures and fittings are secure andnot causing any excessivevibration or rattling.

• Check all rubber mounts andmounting brackets fordeterioration and wear.

• Check to make sure the airconditioning unit and fan bladesare clear of all vegetation anddebris.

• Clean any dust grilles or airfilters.

• Have the air conditionerserviced by an appropriatelyqualified technician.

Barrier

If the air conditioner is wellmaintained and operatingproperly, but is still causingexcessive noise, consider the useof acoustic barriers.

As mentioned earlier, fences andgarden walls can be usedeffectively to screen neighboursfrom noise, however to beeffective, any fences or walls mustblock the line of sight of the airconditioner, be of solidconstruction and contain no gapsor holes.

If a dividing fence is locatedbetween the air conditioner andthe neighbour, it may beconstructed of standard woodenpalings with gaps between thepalings. The fitting of additionaloverlapping palings could makean existing fence an effectivenoise barrier.

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Dividing fence - too many gaps

Add overlapping paling toclose gaps


If room permits, an airconditioning barrier could be acost effective option. In order forthis to be effective, the barriermust block the line of sight to theaffected neighbours. The airconditioner must be located awayfrom multiple reflective surfaces,such as corners and eaves, thatcould reflect noise and decreasethe effectiveness of the barrier.

Air conditioning units requireventilation to avoid overheatingof the motor. Any barriers mustbe constructed in accordance withmanufacturer specifications forventilation to avoid damage tothe motor.

Air conditioningenclosures

There are a number of companiesthat sell full noise enclosures forair conditioning units.

Also check with the manufacturerto see whether they have any aftermarket sales of noise enclosures.

Always make surewhen enclosing airconditioning unitsthat you check themanufacturers’specifications forventilation, to avoidoverheating of themotor and voidingof the warranty.

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Cool TipBarriers and

enclosures are simple,cost effective ways of

reducing noise from airconditioners.

House

AC

Barrier


Relocation

If the air conditioner was installedincorrectly, or is too close toneighbours and doesn’t allowfor a noise fence or barrier,the equipment may have to berelocated and reinstalled ina more suitable position.

Most modern air conditioningsystems require installation byan appropriate air conditioningtechnician and/or electrician.

Always discuss relocation of airconditioners with the manufacturerand an appropriately qualifiedtradesperson to avoid voidingof the warranty.

Replacement

If all of these options fail toreduce the noise nuisance, it maybe time to replace your airconditioning system.

Modern air conditioning systemscan be quiet, energy efficient andinexpensive to run.

When buying a new airconditioning system, remember toshop around for the mostappropriate air conditioner to suityour needs.

ALWAYSREMEMBERTake the time to planthe purchase andinstallation of your newair conditioning system,and avoid causingnuisance to neighboursand costly hassles.Cool Tip

Modern air conditioningsystems can be quiet,energy efficient andinexpensive to run if

planned correctly.

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Australian GreenhouseOffice

Phone: 1300 130 606 Web:www.greenhouse.gov.au

Info: Community andHousehold/Your Home -information to help you controlyour indoor living environmentwhile reducing energyconsumption.

Australian Institute ofRefrigeration, AirConditioning and Heating(AIRAH)

Phone: (03) 9614 8868Web: www.airah.org.au

Info: Residential Air ConditioningBest Practice Guideline Guide forthe purchase and installation ofresidential air conditioningsystems.

Brisbane City Council

Phone: (07) 3403 8888Web: www.ourbrisbane.com

Info: noise fact sheets and GreenHome Guide.

Environmental ProtectionAgency

Phone: (07) 3227 7111Web: www.epa.qld.gov.au

Info: information on noiselegislation and noise fact sheets.

National Refrigeration &Air Conditioning Council(NRAC)

Phone: (03) 9810 9600Web: www.arctick.org

Info: Arc tick certificationprogram.

Where to get more help

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Consider where the outsideair conditioner equipment is tobe located and how close it willbe to neighbours.

Ask your air conditioningdealer whether there are anynoise barriers or enclosuresavailable for your air conditioner.

Shop around for areputable air conditioninginstaller with experience,training and all appropriatelicences, who also has anunderstanding of noise issuesassociated with air conditioners.

When installingDiscuss noise issues with

professional installers and makesure you make an informeddecision before the airconditioner is installed.

Engage a reputable airconditioning installer, withexperience, training and allappropriate licences,who has an understandingof noise issues.

Make sure noisyair conditioning units arelocated away from neighbours’bedrooms and living areas.

Consider the up-frontinstallation of acousticenclosures around airconditioners, where the airconditioning unit must belocated close to neighbours.

Air ConditionerChecklist

Consider thefollowing before

buyingAlways insulate your

home before you install anair conditioner.

Consider cost effectivealternatives such as roof topvents and ceiling fans.

Can you use trees, shrubsor awnings to shade windowsfrom the western sun?

When buyingCheck noise criteria and

any other Council requirementsfor installation and operation ofair conditioners before buying.

BUY QUIET – check theSound Power Level (Lw) ofeach air conditioner and buythe quietest model availableto suit your needs.

Consider reverse cycle airconditioning for both heatingand cooling.

Consider whether youare looking at air conditioningthe whole house, or just asingle room. Bigger is notalways better.

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Printed on recycled paper

N2003 - 00903

Brisbane City Council

Information

GPO Box 1434

Brisbane Qld 4001

Phone (07) 3403 8888

Visit www.ourbrisbane.com andclick on the Brisbane CityCouncil logo to enter ourinternet site.


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