Whether you have an old or new whole house generator, you may be experiencing some noise problems. If so, there are several ways to reduce the noise levels.
First, check out the decibel level of the generator. Most generators emit between 60 and 80 dBA, but it depends on the model.
1. Replace the Exhaust Muffler
If your whole house generator is making a lot of noise, you might need to replace the exhaust muffler. There are many different types of mufflers available, some that are designed specifically for generators and others that can be easily fitted to a variety of small engines.
Another way to reduce noise is to change the direction of the exhaust piping. Having the exhaust pointing away from your home will make a difference.
It is also possible to build a simple enclosure that will deflect the noise away from your home and neighbors. By placing sheets of plywood around your generator, you will be able to reduce the noise levels by at least 10 decibels.
You should be able to find sound deadening material at most hardware stores. This material will reduce the vibrations that come from the generator box, and it will be able to decouple the box from the floor. This can be a great way to reduce noise, especially if you use a metal box that generates a lot of vibrations.
2. Add a Sound Absorbing Enclosure
Adding a sound absorbing enclosure is an inexpensive and effective way to lower the noise levels of your whole house generator. This can be done by enclosing the four sides of your generator with sound deadening acoustic foam.
It’s important to consider the purpose of your generator when deciding what kind of enclosure to build. For example, a permanent generator needs a larger enclosure than a portable one.
When it comes to sound absorbing materials, concrete and plastic are great choices. These materials are also easy to add mass, using rubber mounts.
A sound absorbing enclosure will also help reduce air pressure changes that are caused by the vibrations generated by the generator. You can also use thick rubber sheeting for this task.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to reduce the noise levels of your whole house generator. By implementing the above methods, you can dramatically reduce the level of noise and make your home more peaceful.
3. Install Acoustic Barriers
There are a number of ways to reduce generator noise. One is to install acoustic barriers.
These acoustic barriers are rigid and have substantial mass and stiffness to reduce the transmission of sound. They are often used in outdoor generator enclosures or to isolate generators in indoor generator rooms.
They help eliminate sound paths by sealing cracks in doors and walls or through access points for exhaust, fuel or electrical wiring.
Typically, these barriers are used in conjunction with damping materials that contain both sound absorption and noise blocking properties.
The type of barrier material you choose will depend on the size of your generator box and what type of construction you have in mind for it. A medium density fiberboard will do a great job of providing a soundproof barrier.
To further increase the efficiency of your generator box, we recommend adding a layer of our Luxury Liner MLV, which can be applied both inside and outside of your generator box. This can significantly reduce the noise coming from your generator.
4. Add a Sound Deflector
A sound deflector is a clever way to reflect the noise away from a generator. It’s basically a small baffle box that leans against the side of the generator that houses the exhaust.
A typical sound deflector is made out of oriented strand board, which is similar to particle board but has alternating strands running in different directions. Putting it against the side of your generator will reflect sound waves downward into the ground, which is the best way to reduce the noise.
The same principle applies to a more permanent solution like a soundproofing box. These are two to four sided enclosures with or without a roof, and are typically suspended from a frame and track.
Acoustic blankets are also a good option for sound control. They can be constructed into a 4-sided soundproofing solution, which will drastically reduce the noise output of your generator.