Help ! I recently moved into our new Santa Fe Style home here in New Mexico. The air conditioning unit (not a swamp cooler) is mounted on the roof. It can be heard throughout the house. The installer mounted it on 4- 3/4″ hard rubber pads. Is there a better way to dampen the vibration/noise effect ? I am considering 2″ of foam rubber. Will it work ?
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There are commercially available vibration dampers. Most come in the form of a small pad or post to position the units legs or supports on. They vary from simple rubber pads and composites to quite elaborate constructions or air chambers and springs. Most of these are available from a HVAC equipment supplier.
I have used alternating layers of a formed rubber product with good results, I get mine from a local Johnstone supply but I'm pretty sure similar products are available from many suppliers. This link will allow you to find a Johnstone in your area.
http://www.johnstonesupply.com/main/SelectState.asp
Vibration Absorption Mounting Pads
• For high vibration absorption of HVAC/R, laundry and industrial equipment
• Natural rubber for maximum resilience
• R87-447 is an 18" square sheet precut to provide 81 evenly dimensioned (2" x 2") cut-away squares
For heavier loads I use wider pieces. For more absorption of vibration I stack them. I attach them by making a hole and sliding them around the mounting bolt or stud and having them both above and below the strut. A large washer holds the pad in place and prevents the bolt from pulling through. I usually enlarge the hole in the strut so that the bolt no longer contacts it directly.