topic Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise in Community Chat

neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

SeaMaiden — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:08:28 GMT

My neighbor installed an air/ heat conditioning unit on the side of his house. It is right between our two homes. Right when I step outside my front door first thing I hear is the air/heat conditioner running... all day long. It is not blaring loud, but just loud enough to be irritatiing. If I am in my yard doing yard work that is all I hear. I could wear ear plugs or something, but, that would not be comfortable... I really like the peace and quiet when in my yard. If it were just occasionally on, it would be tolerable, but, all the time is getting on my nerves. I am sensitive to sounds.

I know they sell sound blocking products to put around air conditioning units. Do you think it would be unneighborly of me to suggest this?

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

software — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:12:22 GMT

Wow, that's really a dilemma!

I hate it when I hear my own, which isn't bad.

I think unless there is some noise ordinance, you are out of luck

Maybe your neighbor will understand and comply with your request, but don't ask them to pay for it.

Do you think they hear it also?

You would think they would get tired of it after a time.

@SeaMaiden

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

CelticCrafter — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:13:13 GMT

If you lived in NYC you could complain that the noise is affecting your quality of life.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

SeaMaiden — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:15:16 GMT

@software wrote:
Wow, that's really a dilemma!
I hate it when I hear my own, which isn't bad.
I think unless there is some noise ordinance, you are out of luck
Maybe your neighbor will understand and comply with your request, but don't ask them to pay for it.

Do you think they hear it also?
You would think they would get tired of it after a time.

@SeaMaiden

@software I doubt they would hear it as their front door is further away.... it is facing my yard. I could suggest to pay for it if they do not want to do it at first....?

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

YorkieonmyPillow — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:17:21 GMT

I wouldn't say anything. If your homes are that close, there will inevitably be other things or occasions where minor irritations pop up. You'll probably get used to it after a while.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

Kitlynn — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:18:33 GMT

I am afraid this is one of those things that people really don't have control over. The units depending on the type are noisy. You certainly could explain to them the problem you have with the noise from it and ask them if they would be willing to install the insulator and you would pay for it.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

software — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:19:04 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@software wrote:
Wow, that's really a dilemma!
I hate it when I hear my own, which isn't bad.
I think unless there is some noise ordinance, you are out of luck
Maybe your neighbor will understand and comply with your request, but don't ask them to pay for it.

Do you think they hear it also?
You would think they would get tired of it after a time.

@SeaMaiden
@software I doubt they would hear it as their front door is further away.... it is facing my yard. I could suggest to pay for it if they do not want to do it at first....?

Or pay half.....?

If it's near their bedroom, they may get tired of it.

I keep my a/c on about 78 so it won't come on during the night, I run my fans, unless it's 100 degrees, I can tolerate it.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

hoosieroriginal — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:19:33 GMT

I suspect you are sensitive to it because it is something new. In time, you probably won't even notice it - I would let it go for a couple months and see if it is still bothering you. New noises are so annoying, then they fade away.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

DREAMON — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:23:37 GMT

Our neighbors unit and our unit are about 5 feet apart on the side of our house.... along with both of our pool pumps and pool heaters. It does get a noisy sometimes but we wouldn't be cool and enjoy or pools without them.

It would not bother me taking in to consideration the benefit it is giving the homeowner. Some homes have 2 and 3 units but they need that to cool their homes.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

riley1 — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:26:34 GMT

You are hearing this when you are only outside? I'd be more concerned if I were hearing it when I'm inside.

Houses where I am located now are closer together than I'm used to but I don't hear household noises when I am inside.

I think it is something you will have to get used to as with anything new.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

seaBreeze — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:28:46 GMT

I would mention your dissatisfaction to them.. I, too, have a situation with my neighbor but mine is from mowing on Sundays, constant car horn blowing, dog barking, and throwing tin cans in their metal garbage can that resonate in my inner being. I never get used to it, and neither will you--A.C. units are annoying--ask your neighbor for some type of noise abatement around theirs for your own sanity. @SeaMaiden

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

Carmie — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:28:46 GMT

We got a new heat pump a few years ago. Our new unit is loud. I don't hear it too much inside, though it is right under my kitchen window. I can hear it while outside.

Nothing is going to block the sound.

I would not mention anything to the neighbor. It's not anything they can fix or change. You cannnot enclose the units. They need plenty of space around them to work.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

stevieb — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:34:54 GMT

Unless their system is inordinately louder than most others, I'd say this is a situation you'll need to learn to accommodate. I too am very sensitive to noisy environments, but this isn't likely a situation with which I couldn't learn to cope. Were you to approach me on the noise factor, I can only tell you in all honesty that I'd think it a bit strange, so yes, if you opt to do so, I'd definitely go with the notion of paying for whatever it is you want them to try and also some assurance that covering their unit with whatever noise reduction material you're suggesting won't damage their unit.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

occasionalrain — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:37:07 GMT

I would let them know their noise is unacceptable and ask when they planned to remedy the situation. Let them figure it out. They have no right to inflict their noise upon you.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

SeaMaiden — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:39:50 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I suspect you are sensitive to it because it is something new. In time, you probably won't even notice it - I would let it go for a couple months and see if it is still bothering you. New noises are so annoying, then they fade away.

@hoosieroriginal That is a good suggestion...

@the reason I thought I would mention it now is that they are totally redoing their home from the ground up and the construction people are still working and on sight.. I thought that asking now might make it easier to put up. I have the infor for it and were to buy it. It would cost @$298.00 total no tax and free shipping.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

SeaMaiden — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:41:07 GMT

@seaBreeze wrote:
I would mention your dissatisfaction to them.. I, too, have a situation with my neighbor but mine is from mowing on Sundays, constant car horn blowing, dog barking, and throwing tin cans in their metal garbage can that resonate in my inner being. I never get used to it, and neither will you--A.C. units are annoying--ask your neighbor for some type of noise abatement around theirs for your own sanity. @SeaMaiden

@seaBreeze All they can say is NO, right? Asking is not a terrible thing. Thanks!

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

2blonde — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:42:01 GMT

@SeaMaiden Since you say it's both heat and A/C, I assume it's a heat pump. Depending on the brand, they are all usually pretty noisy (the only ones that aren't are the Trains, and they aren't cheap). I live in a condo where all our back doors line up with just a fenced patio behind. We all have heat pumps, and I instinctively know which neighbor it is when theirs comes on. Mine can be pretty noisy at times (it's only a couple years old), but you can barely hear it inside the house, even when standing right next to that wall (it's about 3 feet away from it). The only way you can shield one of thes units is with a barrier that's not very close to it, as they do need room to "breathe."

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

SeaMaiden — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:42:25 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
We got a new heat pump a few years ago. Our new unit is loud. I don't hear it too much inside, though it is right under my kitchen window. I can hear it while outside.

Nothing is going to block the sound.

I would not mention anything to the neighbor. It's not anything they can fix or change. You cannnot enclose the units. They need plenty of space around them to work.

@Carmie What I found is called Quiet Fence and it is made to give plenty of air flow.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

occasionalrain — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:56:07 GMT

Assuming it's a heat pump and there is a quieter brand now, while construction is in progress, is the time to speak with them. Better still, send them a registered letter which will let them know you will not tolerate it.

Re: neighbors new air/heat conditioning unit..... noise

Carmie — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:57:19 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
We got a new heat pump a few years ago. Our new unit is loud. I don't hear it too much inside, though it is right under my kitchen window. I can hear it while outside.

Nothing is going to block the sound.

I would not mention anything to the neighbor. It's not anything they can fix or change. You cannnot enclose the units. They need plenty of space around them to work.
@Carmie What I found is called Quiet Fence and it is made to give plenty of air flow.

I just looked the Quiet Fence up. That might be a great solution if it really works. It won't hurt to try it if the noise is really bothersome.

i just learned something. Thanks,