- A bel is the standard way to measure air conditioner sound levels. This is a unit of measurement derived from decibels, the standard way to measure all sound levels. Bels give consumers a good idea of how loud the air conditioner is; if sound level is a concern to you, pick your air conditioner based on this measurement. You will find the bel rating on manufacturer documentation. If you do not see it, ask your sales representative for the bel rating before you purchase the equipment.
- Typical bel ratings on most air conditioner units fall within 8 to 9 bels. This is not a standard but is simply a result of manufacturing constraints and component noise. Some more advanced air conditioner units have bel ratings under 7, which is very quiet considering a bel level increase of one equals 10 times the total noise of the lower bel rating. That means an air conditioner rated at 9 bels is a lot noisier than one rated at 8 bels, which is important when choosing between different models with various bel ratings.
- Bel ratings are an important factor when judging which air conditioner you want to buy. However, they are misleading at times. While fractional bel ratings help consumers better understand where their air conditioner ranks in terms of noise and sound levels, they are not always accurate or complete. For instance, an 8.6 bel-rated air conditioner is slightly noisier than a 8.2 bel-rated air conditioner, but imaging just how much noisier that really is can be difficult. Quantifying spending more on a lower bel rated machine is also difficult, because you need to understand how much sound reduction you are paying for.
- Sound levels vary based on where the air conditioner is installed and whether or not sound buffering equipment is used. Sound levels drop when an air conditioner is installed outside 50 feet away from the house, and the levels increase when installed next to the house. The thickness of the home's walls, insulation and even humidity affects realized sound levels. Wear and tear of the parts also increases sound levels. Loose hardware, improperly lubricated parts or damaged parts create additional sounds when left unattended to. Each must be considered when purchasing a new air conditioner or judging the sound level of your unit.
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