AC soundproofing solutions?

[RWH]

Hello all,

Wondering if anyone has experience with AC in relation to soundproofing and could offer any opinion on this?

In short, I have a small detached outbuilding that is about 15sqm. I need to install air conditioning somehow but sound proofing is an important consideration, as the space is a noisy workshop that has been soundproofed quite extensively. I need to do this myself, so nothing that requires a gas engineer etc.

I have a single room MHRV (Blauberg) that services the room for supply and extract. This did let some sound escape but of course I need to breath and not turn into a mushroom. The MHRV extracts to an alleyway that faces a tall concrete block wall, which is then the neighbours substantial outbuilding (3 stories! Mole people...), then a back access track to the other properties, so in short any noise is sent away from people's homes. The building is recently renovated as a room within a room structure, thick (45mm?) triple glazing, double 54mm solid firedoor (so you open one, then open another), and I am pleased with the overall performance. I never wish to move acoustic plasterboard again.

I've looked at the split, pre gassed units, as the hole requires seems smaller - you are just ducting the electrics and copper gas line? So presumably this would sent less noise from inside the building to outside. However, it does mean having a large unit outside, which itself isn't quiet, they seem to he 50db+ - not awful, but probably enough to annoy people if running all day in a heat wave.

I've seen the single unit wall mounted versions like the electriQ iQool, that has 2 vent holes going outside, but sits snuggly up to the wall. I have no personal experience with any AC, so again, wondering how much sound may travel?

There are also the portable ones which would require a larger vent hole, so presumably would allow more noise to escape. However, with either of the vented ones, there is the possibility of creating some sort of maze ducting, although I don't know how hot, wet air would enjoy that longer term.

Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated! As whatever option I do, it would be a not inconsiderably amount of money and effort.

Thank you 🙏

[SteamyTea]

Hello again.

Interesting problem.

Is the raise in temperature caused by workshop activity, or climate forcings?

[saveasteading]

5 hours ago, RWH said:

creating some sort of maze ducting,

That's the answer. sound doesn't go round corners unless bouncing repeatedly. Make a plenum of plywood at the entrance to your ducting, with your maze within it, and line it with insulating board (rockwool sort of thing. or carpet_ and that should sort it.  Keep it bigger than the duct and that won't reduce airflow either.