In modern times, air compressors are one of the handiest devices for home improvement. Whether the compressor is large, medium, or small, every air compressor will undoubtedly make noise.
You have to do something for noise reduction. Because the sound coming from the compressor can be unbearable. Do you know how to make the air compressor quieter?
You can buy a soundproof air compressor. But not everyone has an infinite budget, so you can soundproof your existing air compressor or at least minimize the sound by following some techniques.
There are several methods to apply for reducing the noise level of the air compressor. Below, we have conducted a discussion on that.
By following our steps and secret tips below, you will definitely get a result. So without further ado, let’s dig into the solution.
Why is an Air Compressor Necessary?
Whether it comes to filling the gas cylinder or doing a woodworking project, you’ll need an air compressor. The instruments like baseboard nailers need an air supply from an air compressor. This is an extensive list actually. An air compressor is required to run your paint sprayer, die grinder, filling gas cylinders, pressure washing, etc., and many more.
Therefore, the quiet air compressor has significant importance in our regular life. But the air compressor’s annoying sound is so irritating as it limits out.
If you buy the ultra-quiet air compressor, you don’t have to give extra effort to quiet your compressor quieter.
But if you need a solution for your existing one, then this blog is for you.
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How Loud Can a Normal Air Compressor Be?
Do you use an air compressor regularly? Then you must know that almost all compressors cause air noise. So, before applying the noise reduction technique of the compressor, make sure that the noise level is above average.
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You can easily measure the sound of compressed air with the decibel meter. Regardless, the smartphone in your hand also works to measure the sound of the portable air compressor. Just install the application of the decibel meter on your smartphone.
However, The ideal noise level of air compressors for any environment ranges from 40-55 decibels. You’re lucky if the noise level of your air compressor is lesser than 40 decibels.
A noise level below 70 dB is acceptable for home environments. However, if the noise level exceeds 80 decibels, the sound is distorted. As a result, people in the area may lose their hearing due to noise pollution.
Why is My Air Compressor So Loud?
Multiple common factors cause the louder sound of the air compressor. Since you are trying to calm compressor noise, you must know why it sounds so loud.
Reducing the noise of the compressor becomes easier when you find out the exact cause of the noise. So, let’s find out the reasons for the extra noise in your compressor.
a. Aggressive Vibration of the Device
Vibration is expected when you are using a machine like an air compressor. So, in general, it cannot hold a responsible factor.
But, when you assemble the machine incorrectly, it will start vibrating a lot. Aggressively, the vibration of the device becomes a common factor in the loudness of the compressor.
b. Some Compressor Comes with High Horsepower
The large air compressor has a bigger engine with maximum horsepower. The higher the power, the louder sound you’ll get from the air compressor.
So, the Compressor that comes with the horsepower causes the sound distortion at maximum time.
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c. Cheap Air Compressor Materials
If you’ve bought an air compressor just to save a few bucks, then you’ve invited chaos. Unlike the famous brand, the cheap air compressor is made with cheap materials.
And needless to say, the Compressor constructed with inexpensive materials vibrates a lot. Consequently, you’ll have to suffer the louder sound of the Compressor.
d. Wrong Placement of the Air Compressor
The placement of the air compressor during the operation affects its sound level. The air compressor cannot sit on uneven and hard surfaces properly.
So, when you start the machine keeps on an uneven or hard surface, it starts to vibrate a lot. The consequence is the louder and aggressive sound from the air compressor.
e. Intake Component Noises
The Excess sound can also be the result of the intake component. Like the vacuum cleaner, the intake components also become the reason for air compressor noise sometimes.
f. Age of The Compressor
If you’re using an older air compressor, commonly, you’ll hear annoying noise from it. Gradually, the sound will increase as time goes.
g. Build-quality of the Air Compressor
The build quality of the air compressor affects its sound level. The inexpensive air compressor comes with poor build quality. As a consequence, the unbearable sound comes from it during the operation.
Conversely, the branded air compressor comes with the solid build quality. So, it makes an only tolerable sound.
h. If Any Components or Parts Get Loose
After using it for many days, the parts and components of the air compressor might get loosed. It is a silly reason for causing the unbearable sound from the Compressor. You mightn’t even imagine this.
i. The Improper Exhaust System of the Air Compressor
The improper exhaust system of the air compressor is also responsible for the intolerable sound. If you don’t find any other problems with your Compressor, check it with an experienced repairer.
After a proper inspection, he can figure out whether the exhaust system of your Compressor is okay or not.
How to Quiet Down a Noisy Air Compressor- 11 Effective Deceits
The causes of air compressor noise can be unpredictable. But you have to figure out that vague problem. Otherwise, you can’t decide which method to apply and how to apply it.
From our discussion above, you have found several reasons why air compressors sound annoying. Now, apply the following strategies to reduce the sound level of your air compressor.
1. Application of Rubber
Rubber is well-known as the sound absorption material. Is your air compressor standing in a complex or uneven space? Then, use a rubber grommet between the surface and the Compressor. This will reduce the noise level of the air compressor.
Cover the motor with the rubber grommet if a louder sound is due to the larger engine. It will absorb the excess energy from the motor that enhances the intolerable noise.
2. Apply the Intake Silencer
If the sound is coming from your intake component, you should take the initiatives to resolve the problem. Cover the intake components with a muffler or soundproof blanket to reduce the noise level.
If you’re using the muffler to cover the intake, choose the welded muffler. The welded muffler does its job best than other types of dampers.
You can also use the commercial intake silencer to reduce the high frequency of the intake. However, it’ll cost a little, a protective solution for your intake silencer.
3. Extend the Air Intake
Extending the air intake outdoor cuts down the excess noise a lot. Although the input is a crucial part of the air compressor, you’ll still need to shift it to an open place.
Keeping the intake in a secure place like a garage or basement causes louder sound than average. But, in the open area, the blasted noise spreads everywhere.
Consequently, you cannot hear so much noise like a secure place. Place the intake in the backyard of your house, if you have any.
4. Tighten the Loose Parts of The Air Compressors
The loose parts of the air compressors also can be the reason for vibration and the annoying sound. Inspect the Compressor thoroughly. If you find any lost parts or components in the Compressor, tighten them with the wrenches.
5. Application of the Rubber Grommet at the Wall
What you’ll do if you don’t have a spacious backyard? Reducing the noise level of the air compressor will become hard for you.
Don’t worry! We also have a solution for that.
If you’re using the compressor keeping in a secure place, cover the surrounded wall with the rubber Grommet.
Cover the wall as you did for covering the Compressor’s motor to decrease the sound. You just need lots of rubber grommet than you used for covering the Compressor’s motor.
Instead of rubber, you can also use foam to cover the wall when available to you.
6. Use a Soundproof Box
If there’s no problem with the cost, use a soundproof box to cover the air compressor. Using the soundproof box causes minimal hearing sound from the air compressor, which is tolerable.
You don’t have to inspect the problem with the air compressor when using the soundproof box. It will prevent the noise of the air compressor no matter what is the reason for causing sound.
Luckily, there are lots of budget-friendly options for soundproof air compressor boxes. For making the soundproof box more budget-friendly, you can make the box your way.
Just make sure the soundproof box is made of cardboard or plywood. And you have placed the rubber padding into the box, which is very good as sound absorbent.
Build Sound-Proof Air Compressor Box
7. Isolate the Air Compressor
Trying to figure out the leading cause of the air compressor’s annoying sound, but can’t figure out? Isolate the air compressor from everything before starting to use.
How to do that? First, isolate the Compressor from the uneven or hard surface through the rubber carpet. Then cover the power connection of the Compressor through the rubber cord.
Afterward, attach a flexible and small air hose with a compressor that will stay between the compressor and plumbing. You should use the appropriate air hose connector that fits most with the air compressor.
Remember, the air hose is applicable when you’re doing rigid plumbing.
8. Lubricate the Joints
The friction of the air compressor’s metal may cause an annoying sound. Not only that, but the conflict also decays the components of the Compressor. Most of the time, the friction happens when your air compressor gets older.
So, what to do to reduce the friction?
Like you do for the other machinery, lubricate the joints of the air compressor. Get the necessary lubricants from the market to lubricate your Compressor on yourself.
9. Invest in Regular cleaning
Clean the Compressor’s filter regularly on time. The annoying noise from the air compressor also can cause due to its removable dirty air filter.
The dirty filter clogs the main route of the air compressor. Consequently, the Compressor needs to struggle a lot to run when you switch it on. At that time, we could hear the most annoying noise from the compressor machine.
10. Buy A New Noiseless Air Compressor
When nothing works for your existing compressors, that means it has become old. The older compressors usually make the noises. If you have bad luck, then the noise would be deep and unbearable.
At that time, you’ll need to replace the air compressor with an exclusive one. When you have a limited budget, spend a few more bucks to get the quieter Compressor.
Important Recommendations: If you want to buy an air compressor spray painting, here are our recommended air compressors for spray painting in 2022.
11. Wear the Hearing Protection
Take an earplug to protect your ear from the excess sound of the air compressor. Indeed, it is a poor suggestion to take the ear protector to prevent the loud compressor noise.
Still, it works. You’ve lack of time and money to prevent the Compressor’s noise. The commercial workers mainly accept this solution to protect their ears from great sound.
What to Consider When Making the Air Compressor Silence?
Hopefully, you’ll get the solution of making your air compressor quieter from our above tricks and techniques. Whichever solution you’re applying to the air compressor, ensure your safety first.
As the air compressor is an electrical device, your carelessness may cause a mishap. So, what to follow to make the air compressor quieter?
Let’s know them:
- The compressor must have a pre-installed safety relief valve. When you’re working to reduce the noise level of air compressors, the safety valve will protect you.
- When applying the air intake silencer, make sure the silencer doesn’t restrict its regular activities.
- Please don’t take the soundproof box too short that it confines the airflow around the compressors.
- After applying the soundproof tricks, maintain the PSI of the Compressor at its previous rate. Who knows the sudden increase of the PSI might cause a problem in your Compressor?
- Unplug the air tank from the silent air compressor to ensure maximum safety. It is an excellent practice to maintain maximum security.
FAQs
Q. Why is My Air Compressor Making Noise?
Ans: Most of the budgeted air compressor causes loud noise. The metal friction inside the Compressor is a common cause of the intolerable sound.
Regardless, the poor build quality, horsepower, improper exhaust, etcetera are also responsible for the Compressor’s annoying sound.
Q. Can an Air Compressor Explode?
Ans: If you don’t maintain and clean your air compressor on time, it may explode. Regular maintenance prevents corrosion inside the Compressor, which is the primary reason for the explosion.
Q. Is It Bad to Keep the Air Compressor Pressurized?
Ans: It isn’t unsafe to keep the air compressor pressurized during regular use. But after using the Compressor extended time, you must drain and deactivate the Compressor.
But you need to decrease the power level if you want to increase the CFM of air compressors.
The Sum Up!
Now you know How to Soundproof Your Air Compressor. This is an everyday thing that usually comes to almost every air compressor user.
While the easiest solution is to go out and buy a new ultra-cool air compressor, some people may want a DIY solution for many reasons.
We have already shared some expert-level guidelines and tips for calming your compressor to break this common problem.
The methods we provide will definitely work because many people find them helpful. You don’t have to follow every step, first identify the cause of the sound. Then follow the steps you need.
For any further hesitation, please comment below in this archive.
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