Is Air Conditioning Noisy? (Jet Engine in Your Bedroom?)

Short answer: no. Long answer: not unless something’s gone very wrong.

One of the most common questions we get (usually with a slightly worried look) is:

“Is it noisy?”

And to be fair, we get why people ask. For a lot of people, their only experience of air conditioning is a portable unit rattling away in the corner… or they imagine something more like a desk fan that sounds like it’s preparing for take-off ✈️

The good news? Properly installed, modern air conditioning systems are surprisingly quiet.

So let’s quickly clear this up and explain the few reasons an air con system might sound noisy.

(Spoiler alert: it’s almost always down to poor maintenance.)

Modern Air Conditioning Is Surprisingly Quiet

Today’s air conditioning systems are designed to be whisper-quiet — especially indoors.

To put it into perspective:

• A typical indoor unit runs at around 19–25 decibels

• That’s quieter than a fridge

• And definitely quieter than your phone buzzing on the bedside table

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In fact, you can make it even quieter (we’re talking mouse-level quiet 🐭) thanks to:

• Silent / Night modes for peaceful sleep

• Adjustable fan speeds to suit the room

• Directional airflow, so it’s not blowing straight at you

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Most people tell us they genuinely forget it’s on they only notice the room feels more comfortable.

What About the Outdoor Unit?

Outdoor units are also much quieter than people expect. They’re designed to meet strict UK noise regulations and are usually no louder than background garden noise.

We also take extra care to:

• Position them carefully

• Avoid bedroom windows where possible

• Use anti-vibration mounts if required

Why Do Some Air Con Units Sound Loud Then?

If someone tells you air con is noisy, it’s usually down to one of three things:

1️⃣ Old or cheap equipment

2️⃣ Poor installation (bad mounting, no vibration control)

3️⃣ Lack of servicing (dirty fans and filters)

A properly installed and well-maintained system should barely make a sound. So if yours is making a horrible noise, it’s probably trying to tell you something and it might be time to book it in for a service.

Thinking About Air Con but Worried About Noise?

We’ll always talk through:

• Unit placement

• Noise levels

• And the best setup for your home

No guesswork, no surprises.

So if you’re looking for a guide price, you can fill in our form for an instant, realistic guide price. Just click here or send us a message we’re always here to help.