[John]

Good afternoon, fellow enthusiasts of German cars and conditioned air. I’m having an issue with my home HVAC, and I’m looking for both wisdom, and recommendations on very good HVAC companies that may be able to assist in the Northern Virginia area.

My home is pretty standard fare for Northern Virginia. Built in 1998, three levels (basement is finished) and a single HVAC. Furnace is gas. Manufacture date on the furnace/air handler is 2013, which is six years before I moved in here.

My problem is it is LOUD. Like, turn the volume up on the TV, and difficult to have a conversation with other people in the room loud. I measure 68 dB at the kitchen and basement returns when the unit is running with or without a filter installed. I also measure 68 dB standing right in front of the unit when it is running. For reference, a rare moment of “silence” in my house measures 38 dB at the return vents.

The 12x12 return in the basement comes straight off the air handler, through about 3 feet of ducting. The 20x20 return in the kitchen is roughly 15 feet directly above the one in the basement (six feet off the kitchen floor). So both of them provide a nice direct path for the noise from the air handler to go out of the vents.

So, does anyone have any suggestions for quieting this thing so I don’t spend half my day listening to 68 dB of fan noise? And does anyone have suggestions for a competent company that could come in here, assess, and give me options on what can be done? I'm not opposed to replacing the unit or making necessary ducting changes but want to make sure it is done right by someone who knows what they're doing.

[cmartin]

What kind of loud, fan making noise (mechanical sounds) or the airflow is noisy?

[John]

Airflow is noisy. Here's a video.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ag7oQYuGzjdAgodZ...1acXQ?e=6WJQ3u

[BlackTalon]

Is it a variable speed motor? If so, is it actually varying, or only operating a full speed?

[John]

Originally Posted by BlackTalon

Is it a variable speed motor? If so, is it actually varying, or only operating a full speed?

Not a variable speed motor.

[ducatithunder]

What side of the system is louder, the supply or the return?
Whats the fan look like? Does it need to be cleaned?

It almost sounds like the fan is oversized for the ductwork or there is ducting is sized/ducted in a way to cause some velocity changes, ie its reduced which would cause that kind of noise your experiencing.

[John]

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

What side of the system is louder, the supply or the return?

Return

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

Whats the fan look like? Does it need to be cleaned?

From what I can see with my untrained eye, the fan looks pretty clean.

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

It almost sounds like the fan is oversized for the ductwork or there is ducting is sized/ducted in a way to cause some velocity changes, ie its reduced which would cause that kind of noise your experiencing.

Makes sense. Especially looking at these pictures.

[cmartin]

I cant help with airflow calcs, beyond my pay grade. Make sure there isnt a hidden damper somewhere, winter/summer setting maybe. Are all the vents open/unblocked?

[Vicegrip]

Standard modern system. An amalgam of higher efficiency and lower installation costs. Don’t lower the blower rpm settings just to reduce sound pressure. Perhaps find a hvac contractor that can spend some time testing what the proper air flow for Summer and Winter should be and program the system. Sometimes a slap it in and done contractor will leave things on Hi and not have to worry about too low evap or too high exchanger temps. There might be some room to tune.
The blower motor is likely a 3 speed. Often set on high and left. Many systems and home combinations can be adjusted to a lower speed setting at least on one season.

Hate to say it modern higher efficiency lower cost systems are louder that the gentle large duct system of the past.

[jbailey930]

I can recommend Richards heating and air in VA. Family owned company in biz since early 60s. I know the second gen owners, all local family, very well. They dont advertise like the big guys so their prices are lower for service. Give them a call 703 241 1900. Good luck!