Furnace Fan Noise
 

I have a 13yo Carrier Weathermaker 9200 in a small condo (835sf). The unit is centrally located in the closet in the kitchen. It is situated such that the intake vent is only about 9 inches away from the intake fan. This puts a huge amount of fan noise into the living area. A service technician has verified that the unit is working properly, and the noise has not changed in a couple of years. There is not enough room to remodel or run more duct work. This is also just the intake fan noise since it happens when unit is off but the fan is on. The filter is clean (and happens when the filter is not there).

Does anyone have any ideas how to reduce the noise? Do the new "quiet" and/or variable speed furnaces have less intake fan noise. I saw one that advertized an "ultra quiet" blower. Is that the same as the intake fan? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Doug

Is it fan noise, as in mechanical noise. Or is it air moving noise?

It sounds like air noise (turbulence).
thanks
doug

You can probably check this on YouTube. Air turbulence is probably "white noise", all frequencies of equal strength. It sounds like an old style FM radio, between stations.

Yep, it's white noise. What should I check on youtube?
thanks
doug

Google search x-13 blower motor. Unfortunately while the motor itself you'll never hear running, the air turbulence as it draws is something you're simply going to have to live with with where the unit is located, in the closet. You don't have a lot of give to extend ducts.

Now if you have attic space and can have the system moved up there then that's your best bet.

Make sure its not a harmonic vibration from the air being pulled through the grill on that air intake. If placing your hand on the grill, deadens the sound, let us know, as there are a few things that can help that.

Youtube was supposed to demonstrate what this sounds like, but you already know. This reply was badly written.
BTW, YouTube's white noise sounds more like a waterfall.

Perhaps you could reduce the turbulence by putting vanes in the duct to cause laminar flow?

The bigger propeller the lesser noise from the same air flow because propeller should generate the same flow with the less speed of rotation.

Currently, the intake comes in the left side of the furnace. Is it possible to have it come in from the right side? If so, there might be room on that side to run enough duct work to greatly reduce the noise (and reduce a little closet space).
thanks
doug