Disturbance caused by residential air conditioner noise

This paper reports the results of a field survey of disturbance caused by outdoor residential air conditioner noise. For 550 subjects, questionnaire responses along with integrated air conditioner and ambient noise levels were obtained. Reported hearing of neighbors’ air conditioners and annoyance to the noise from neighbors’ air conditioners were significantly related to measured noise levels. Responses were most strongly related to the level by which the air conditioner noise exceeded the ambient noise. Residents of noisier neighborhoods were less disturbed by neighbors’ air conditioner noise. Owners of air conditioners were less disturbed by their neighbors’ air conditioner noise by an amount equal to an approximate 7‐dBA difference in noise levels. Acceptable limits for air conditioner noise levels can be derived from the dose response curves produced in this study.