Quietest window air conditioners?

[Eug]

OK, I've got a central AC unit and it seems to be working. I get very cool air upstairs out of the vent, but unfortunately the volume is low. It seems the air flow wasn't designed right for cooling in this house. Adjusting the duct dampers helps a bit, but not much. I've also closed most of the 1st floor vents and sealed all of the basement vents. That also helped, but it's still not enough.

In essence, if it's 30C outside, the AC can bring the 2nd floor down a few degrees, but not more than that. Part of the problem is the fact that I've got great big windows, and cathedral ceilings as well. No attic.

We considered putting ductless units up here to compensate, but they are $$$$. So, I'm thinking of getting a window unit for the bedroom for the time being. However, most of the ones I've come across aren't very quiet.

What are the quietest window units available? I figure I'd need about 8000-10000 BTU. The room is 275 sq. feet.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Your central AC unit many need a service call, check & replace the filter, make sure all air gaps on the exterior wall are sealed, close the windows curtains/blinds during the daytime will cut down radiant heat from outside, turn off unnecessary electronic in the house.

High ceiling equate to greater volume to heat/cool, and cathedral indicates that there aren't enough air gap between the ceiling and the roof for adequate air movement (attic trap air temperature can be reach as high as 75-80% higher than outside temperature).

A quick fix maybe possible as adding more insulation to the attic or ventilation fan to elevate the ventilation. Other choices are going to be expensive, such as replace the roof and add ventilation height, replace the ductworks and AC unit to a bigger system, or buy a new house with standard attic/ventilation construction.

[add]

Windows AC aren't known to be efficient or quiet (poor construction/cheap parts). Ductless split is a better choice for noise and efficiency but cost more than Windows AC. Having something hanging out of your windows/wall isn't that attractive. However, there are newer inside ductless split units that look quite attractive (some even sport glass picture fame in the front so that the unit look like a hanged picture.

 

[richardycc]

Sharp has a line of AC that they call it library quiet..not sure how quiet that is. I had a panasonic high EER 5800BTU unit 10yrs ago that I paid almost $400 for it, it was fairly quiet. IF you want something quiet, you need to pay for that. for a 10000BTU high EER unit nowaday, expect to pay around $450 and up to get something quiet.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: richardycc
Sharp has a line of AC that they call it library quiet..not sure how quiet that is. I had a panasonic high EER 5800BTU unit 10yrs ago that I paid almost $400 for it, it was fairly quiet. IF you want something quiet, you need to pay for that. for a 10000BTU high EER unit nowaday, expect to pay around $450 and up to get something quiet.

The quietest are by mitsubishi, but are more wall/exterior units than window.

Still you are going to pay a fortune running a window unit...it's going to be more economical to figure out what's the cooling problem you are having. I'd first verify the unit size is correct.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Originally posted by: richardycc
Sharp has a line of AC that they call it library quiet..not sure how quiet that is. I had a panasonic high EER 5800BTU unit 10yrs ago that I paid almost $400 for it, it was fairly quiet. IF you want something quiet, you need to pay for that. for a 10000BTU high SEER unit nowaday, expect to pay around $450 and up to get something quiet.

Fixed.

 

[Pabster]

Sharp are nice and quiet, but rather pricey. If you're willing to spend the $$$ go for it.

You may want to try and find a place where they actually have various brands/models up and running so you can get an idea on the noise.

 

[richardycc]

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa

Originally posted by: richardycc
Sharp has a line of AC that they call it library quiet..not sure how quiet that is. I had a panasonic high EER 5800BTU unit 10yrs ago that I paid almost $400 for it, it was fairly quiet. IF you want something quiet, you need to pay for that. for a 10000BTU high SEER unit nowaday, expect to pay around $450 and up to get something quiet.

Fixed.

you might want to at least google EER first before you try to make a fool out of yourself. I rarely see a window unit has a EER # higher than 12.5, thats equivalent to a SEER 14 central AC.

 

[Eug]

I'll check out the Sharps guys. I haven't come across any Mitsubishi window units. Now I'll just have to find a place that actually sells them.

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa
Windows AC aren't known to be efficient or quiet (poor construction/cheap parts). Ductless split is a better choice for noise and efficiency but cost more than Windows AC. Having something hanging out of your windows/wall isn't that attractive. However, there are newer inside ductless split units that look quite attractive (some even sport glass picture fame in the front so that the unit look like a hanged picture.

I just came across LG's Art Cool line. Definitely... err... cool.

It's nice that they're 115 V too. Unfortunately though, if I want to do two rooms off one outdoor unit, I'll need a 240 V line, which will be a pain to run from the basement.

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa
Your central AC unit many need a service call, check & replace the filter, make sure all air gaps on the exterior wall are sealed, close the windows curtains/blinds during the daytime will cut down radiant heat from outside, turn off unnecessary electronic in the house.

High ceiling equate to greater volume to heat/cool, and cathedral indicates that there aren't enough air gap between the ceiling and the roof for adequate air movement (attic trap air temperature can be reach as high as 75-80% higher than outside temperature).

A quick fix maybe possible as adding more insulation to the attic or ventilation fan to elevate the ventilation. Other choices are going to be expensive, such as replace the roof and add ventilation height, replace the ductworks and AC unit to a bigger system, or buy a new house with standard attic/ventilation construction.

One of the two rooms is my home office, with all my computer equipment.

There isn't an attic in this place. I can't imagine there being a significant space between my ceiling and the top.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Originally posted by: richardycc

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa

Originally posted by: richardycc
Sharp has a line of AC that they call it library quiet..not sure how quiet that is. I had a panasonic high EER 5800BTU unit 10yrs ago that I paid almost $400 for it, it was fairly quiet. IF you want something quiet, you need to pay for that. for a 10000BTU high SEER unit nowaday, expect to pay around $450 and up to get something quiet.

Fixed.

you might want to at least google EER first before you try to make a fool out of yourself. I rarely see a window unit has a EER # higher than 12.5, thats equivalent to a SEER 14 central AC.

Sorry my bad for on a mono mode today,

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Eug
OK, I've got a central AC unit and it seems to be working. I get very cool air upstairs out of the vent, but unfortunately the volume is low. It seems the air flow wasn't designed right for cooling in this house. Adjusting the duct dampers helps a bit, but not much. I've also closed most of the 1st floor vents and sealed all of the basement vents. That also helped, but it's still not enough.

In essence, if it's 30C outside, the AC can bring the 2nd floor down a few degrees, but not more than that. Part of the problem is the fact that I've got great big windows, and cathedral ceilings as well. No attic.

We considered putting ductless units up here to compensate, but they are $$$$. So, I'm thinking of getting a window unit for the bedroom for the time being. However, most of the ones I've come across aren't very quiet.

What are the quietest window units available? I figure I'd need about 8000-10000 BTU. The room is 275 sq. feet.

its not the AC, it's your furnace.

More specifically its your ducting. You should get a balance test done to see just how much loss there is. You probably have leaks galore esp. in the main trunk areas.

I see you are from TO and you may have heard of Mike Holmes. He did a show about this issue.

 

[Eug]

I did find some small leaks down by the furnace. I'm going to be sealing them off to see if that makes much difference, but I don't really want to be ripping my walls out at this point.

----

I went online looking, and I can't seem to find Sharp window air conditioners listed anywhere. I've seen a few portables, but the window ones don't seem to exist here in Toronto. I'll go check in person, but I note that the Sharp Canada website doesn't list them either. Any other brands?