How to quiet noisy H/AC return?

[Sam Drinkard]

Hopefully some wisdom of the net can help me figure out a way to quiet the
return air system of my H/AC system. Here's the problem. Last year, I
had to replace the existing system, both air handling unit, and compressor
package. Went from 1.5 ton to 3 ton. The air package (heater and cooling
coil) is of the updraft type located in my garage, in a "closet". The
return air vent is in the kitchen/dining area. I had to enlarge the opening
from a 14 x 14" opening to 36" x 18". It was noisy before, but now it is
almost where I'd rather be hot than hear it run. Fan noise is the apparent
noise. The actual air flow is insignificant. Would turning vanes be of
any use in the plenum to reduce the fan noise, or should I be thinking of
moving the return air plenum, (not easily done at all) to the living room,
which rarely gets used. The use of a noise baffle is not really an option
because of the location of the return air grill/filter. I've thought about
even running some frequency measurments to see what range they fall in, and
possibly using some type of noise cancellation device.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks ..

sam

--
S.W. Drinkard | Internet: s...@wa4phy.async.com
4428 Branchwood Drive | Internet: s...@galois.nscf.org
Martinez, GA 30907 |
(706) 868-8029 |