HVAC Noise Control

Fundamentals

By Russell Hawkins
russellstewarthawkins@gmail.com
 Loudness Level Differences

± 1 dB not noticeable

± 3 dB noticeable change

± 10 dB perceived as twice as loud

Example: 60db seem twice as loud as 50db

± 20 dB perceived as four times as loud

Example: 70db four times as loud as 50db
 Examples
dB
140 Jet take-off

120
Rock concert
100 Construction site

80 Street Traffic
Busy office
60
Conversation Speech
40 Living Room
Library
20 Bedroom

0
Frequency
 10 20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k 100k

5 – 12,000 Hz

50 – 45,000 Hz

2,000 – 120,000 Hz

1,000 – 120,000 Hz

75 – 6,000 Hz

125 – 7,500 Hz

500 – 5,000 Hz

Broadband

1 – 10 Hz
 Sources of Sound in HVAC Systems
• These sound sources are usually analyzed in
frequency bands.

• Frequency bands are specific groupings of

frequencies that are generally used in HVAC noise
control.
 HVAC Acoustics

Diffuser Noise

Chiller Noise

VAV Unit Noise

Fan & Pump Noise

Fan Instability
Turbulent Airflow
THROB RUMBLE ROAR WHISTLE HISS

16 31.5 63 125 250 500 1,000 2,000 4,000 8,000

 USA Sound Map
Sound Rating Methods

dB(A) – Internationally Utilized.

Correlates well to human judgement
of loudness.

dB(C) – More sensitive to low

frequency noise

Noise Criteria (NC) – This rating

method has has been used for more
than 50 years. It is generally
preferred by engineers and
acoustical consultants.

Room Criteria (RC) – Similar to the

NC but includes sound quality rating
and low frequency evaluation.

Source: National Park Service

 ASHRAE Recommended Levels
From 2011 ASHRAE Handbook, Chapter 48 Noise and Vibration Control
Where Is Noise Control Needed?

NC 20
NC 30
NC 25
NC 20
NC 30
NC 30
NC 30
dB(A)

A weighted Decibels - dBA

• At 63 hertz we hear about 26
db less than what’s really
there

• Each octave band is weighted

per the values shown and
logarithmically summed to
produce a single number –
dBa

• Used in high noise level

environments (industrial) and
Outdoor noise codes – LEED
requirements
 NC

• Each octave band is plotted

in the noise criteria chart.

• The highest point on the

curve indicates the noise
criteria rating.

2011 ASHRAE Handbook, Chapter 48 Noise and Vibration Control

 NC

How to use NC Chart

• NC 40 with the second
octave band being the
highest.

• If this was a noise sensitive

space and needed to meet
a lower noise criteria, the
low frequency noise would
need to be controlled.
 RC

• Each octave band is plotted

(similar to NC)

• Using the Quality

Assessment Index (QIA), the
spectral deviations are
accounted for.

• In the example shown it

would be LF (indicating more
low frequency noise)
 Determining the SPL

Source - Path - Receiver

The noise can be controlled at any of these points

 Sound Power vs Sound Pressure

•It is important to note that the values

on these charts (NC, RC, dBA) are
sound pressure levels.

•This is very different from a sound

power level that is used to rate fan
equipment.

•The difference between them is

inherent in their name. Power vs
Pressure. It is also evident in the
reference.

•Since both are on a logarithmic

scale, they each reference a value,
but while sound power level
references Watts (10^-12 Watts)
Sound pressure level references
pressure (20 microPascals).
 Sound Propagation

• The position of the receiver is

essential for determining the
sound pressure level because
sound decays over time.

• Outdoors this follows an inverse

square law.

• Most often, for smaller spaces

indoors though, the sound level
decays at 3dB per doubling of
distance. Osha.gov
Noise paths
Controlling Airborne Noise
Longer Path

Attenuation due
to propagation

Least cost effective

Least energy efficient
 Duct Liner Example - 36”x36” Straight Duct
20’ long – 1” duct liner

Advantages:
60.0
Very effective at controlling
mid-high frequency noise.
50.0

Cost-effective
40.0

Insertion Loss
30.0
Disadvantages:
20.0
Almost no low-frequency
attenuation 10.0

Not ideal for all environments 0.0

(cleanrooms, hospitals, etc.) 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Octave Bands
Silencers

Circular Rectangular Elbow

Use perforated baffles

- Perforation is acoustically transparent
- Fiberglass or Recycled cotton absorbs the noise
- Can also be produced without fill as reactive or active

Can be “tuned” to control different octave bands

• Silencers are rated for 3 things
–Insertion Loss
–Pressure Drop
–Generated Noise
 The difference in the sound pressure level
Insertion Loss with a silencer inserted into the system.
 Pressure Drop

• Any component added to a duct

system will introduce a pressure
differential.
• Even the ductwork itself introduces
some pressure drop due to friction.
• Silencers are also rated for
pressure drops.
• Elbow silencers have higher
pressure drops and circular
silencers have the lowest pressure
drops.
 Generated Noise

This is the noise that is

generated from air
passing through the
silencer.

Imagine that the fan is

making no noise and
only moving air. This is
the noise that would
result from the
turbulence of going
through the silencer.
Why is generated noise usually not a problem?
Sound Power Level Added Decibel to the
Difference between two Highest Sound Power Level
Logarithmic Scale: Sound Sources (dB) (dB)
0 3
1 2.5
L(p)total = 10*Log(10Lp1/10+10Lp2/10) 2 2
3 2
4 1.5
5 1
Differences between sound sources 6 1
combine differently because of the 7 1
8 0.5
scale 9 0.5
10 0.5
>10 0
Example:
Air Handling Unit Generated Resulting
Sound Power Level Noise Level Level
70 + 70 = 73
75 + 70 = 76
95 + 55 = 95
 Relationship Between Ratings

Attenuation Pressure Drop

 Silencer Performance
50

45

40

35
Insertion Loss - dB

30

25

20

15

10

0
16 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
1/1 Octave Band Center Frequency - Hz
Pressure Drop Considerations

ASHRAE (Chapter 47 – Sound & Vibration Control):

Do not locate the silencer in close proximity (3 to 5 duct
diameters) to any fan, elbow, plenum, fitting, or other flow
disturbing device
 Calculation for optimal straight duct length

Duct Dimensions (Inches) Length of straight duct required (Feet)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
W x H EDD

24 24 26.2 17

36 36 39.4 26

48 48 52.4 35

60 60 65.6
44

84 84 91.8
61
 Accounting for System Effects
Excluding System Effects
can cause pressure drops
to be 2-3x higher than
schedule values

However, the straight duct

is not necessary IF the
selection is made with
system effects in mind

ASHRAE Handbook Chapter 48

Noise that radiates through the duct walls and
into the surrounding areas
Thicker Ceiling

Breakout Noise usually consists of a lot of low

frequency noise

Adding mass will attenuate this noise

Duct Lagging

Limp or stiff

Effective but it can

be expensive
With a silencer

Silencers can come with a HTL (High Transmission Loss) casing

But the best way to control breakout is to eliminate the noise before it even goes over the space
Outdoor Noise Control
Solutions
Location, Location, Location
- the further away, the more attenuation due to propagation

Compressor Blankets
- Not very effective. Only provides approximately 3dB of attenuation

Silencers
- If the sound is coming from discharge or exhaust, silencers can
control a portion of it

Full Enclosure
- In extreme situations, a full enclosure may be nece$$ary

Acoustical Barrier
- Can provide approximately 10-15 dB of attenuation
Example
2 AHU’s near multiple
other buildings

Without a barrier, the

noise would be
problematic
With a barrier around
them, the noise is
greatly reduced
 Why Do Noise Problems Exist?

1. Noise control was not 2. Post design cost-cutting 3. Noise control products
considered at the design may have been selected
stage but not integrated
correctly
Why Do Noise Problems Exist?

Noise Control is usually less than

5% of the mechanical budget

The cost to come in and fix it after

completion can be 5-10x as much
as including it in the design phase
 What do I do?

Here are the right steps to an effective noise control design

Identify all possible noise paths:

– Airborne, structure-borne, breakout, radiated, flanking, etc

Figure out how much noise control you need?

– There are free software programs that have all the
calculations built in (AIM, V-A Select, TAPS, Price All-in-One)

Identify project specific requirements

– Space, IAQ, budget, material selection, etc

Develop a solution that not only address noise, but

also meets project specific requirements
Prevent noise problems before they ever happen!
For questions, please contact Russell Hawkins
russellstewarthawkins@gmail.com

Thank you