DA-76-11-2 -- Prediction Techniques for Room Air Conditioner Noise PDF

The overall objective of this project was to evaluate the noise levels and prediction techniques available for room air conditioners. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) contracted with Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories to perform this three-part program. The two air conditioners used in this evaluation project were part of the AHAM round robin test series. Unit X was a 15,000 Btu/hr air conditioner and Unit Y was a 20,000 Btu/hr model. Both were operated in the high cool mode.

In Part 1 of this study, directivity patterns were obtained on the two units in an outdoor test facility. The second phase of the program required evaluation of the acoustics of several typical rooms. For this part, floor area and room acoustic condition were varied. In the third segment of the project, comparisons were made between actual measured noise levels in a typical room and predicted levels.