Loud Chiller Noise:Causes And Solutions
It is normal for a chiller to make a slight noise during normal operation, but too loud noise not only affects the operating experience, but may also indicate a potential failure. Excessive noise may lead to complaints from neighbors or violate local environmental regulations, and even face fines. If it is not resolved, it will shorten the life of the equipment and even threaten production safety. This article introduces the sources of chiller noise and how to solve excessive noise.
Related: Chiller troubleshooting

Tips
If you are not a professional with relevant qualifications, please do not disassemble key components such as compressors and electrical control boxes alone to avoid failures or safety accidents.
Normal noise range
The noise of the chiller during operation comes from the fan, motor, and compressor, which is generally low-frequency and continuous. The noise range of most chillers is 60~80 dB, and the specific value varies according to the type of chiller (air-cooled/water-cooled), size, installation environment, etc. If the noise suddenly becomes louder and sharper, or is accompanied by knocking, whistling, and metal friction, it often means that the equipment is abnormal.
Reasons for high noise in chillers
The loud noise in chillers is generally caused by the following reasons:
Compressor abnormality
The compressor’s piston or screw may wear out after long-term operation, and unbalanced operation will cause increased vibration. If the compressor lacks lubricating oil or the lubricating oil deteriorates, the increased friction will cause metal friction sound. Suction or discharge problems can cause abnormal pressure, leading to increased noise.
Fan or water pump abnormality
The fan blades of the water-cooled chiller are unbalanced or loose, which will vibrate when rotating at high speed, producing knocking or high-pitched noises. If there is air in the pumping system, it will produce a bubble bursting sound. Pump bearing wear will cause a sharp metal sound or abnormal sound.
Refrigerant abnormality
Overcharging or undercharging the refrigerant will affect the throttling state of the expansion valve and cause high-frequency howling. If the refrigerant is mixed with air or moisture, bubbles may burst or gurgle during operation.
Installation abnormality
When refrigerant flows through loosely secured pipes, it may strike the walls and produce knocking sounds. If there is no seismic isolation pad between the chiller and the ground, the vibration sound will be amplified and transmitted through resonance. When the chiller contacts the wall or other structures, the sound of slight vibrations will be amplified.
Motor failure
Aging of the internal coil of the motor of the chiller system, eccentric rotor or improper speed regulation of the inverter will cause it to emit continuous electromagnetic sound.
Different noises correspond to different abnormalities. Preliminary judgment of the frequency, rhythm and whether the noise is accompanied by vibration will help to quickly locate the fault point.
Solutions to loud noise
Regular maintenance
Regularly replace the compressor oil, check the bearing lubrication, and reduce mechanical friction. Check whether the motor, fan, and pump are loose or make abnormal noises, and repair or replace them in time.
Check the water pump and fan
Rebalance the fan impeller and adjust the air duct design. Check for pump cavitation, vent the system, and inspect whether the suction port is blocked. If necessary, replace the low-noise pump or soft connection to reduce the conduction vibration.
Check the refrigerant
Check the refrigerante charge and, if needed, evacuate the system and recharge to the proper level.Check whether the condenser and evaporator are blocked to ensure the smoothness of the refrigeration system. If impurities are mixed, the refrigerant needs to be replaced and the pipeline needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Install shock-absorbing equipment
Isolate vibrations using rubber shock-absorbing pads or spring shock absorbers. You can also install sound insulation cotton and sound insulation boxes, which are especially suitable for indoor or office environments. Arrange the pipeline direction reasonably to avoid right angles or long suspended sections.
Upgrade chiller or components
High-performance chillers are generally equipped with low-noise compressors, silent fans, motor soft start systems, etc. When selecting models, you can give priority to silent design based on the on-site noise requirements.
If the noise problem is still not solved after investigation, it is recommended to contact the chiller manufacturer’s technical support or professional maintenance personnel.

Conclusion
LNEYA extremely silent chillers provide you with a good working environment. From design and production to installation, commissioning and maintenance, noise reduction is taken into consideration in every link. You can customize chillers with different noise levels at LNEYA. If you don’t know what noise level of cooling system is most suitable for you, we can help you make the most perfect solution based on local regulations, your installation environment and budget.
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