Am getting compressor noise out of my cold air return which is very annoying when watching TV or trying to sleep. The cold air return is plenty big enough ( 14 inches ) What is the cause/cure?

Would help to no more, type of equipment,, brand, model #

It is a 3 ton package unit (electric) brand is TempStar.

Insulate the inside of the duct work with the proper insulation. See a HVAC supply house for the materials and you will have to disassemble the duct to install the insulation. There is NO miracle cure.

Insulate the inside of the duct work with the proper insulation. See a HVAC supply house for the materials and you will have to disassemble the duct to install the insulation. There is NO miracle cure.I think you are right on, I discussed this very same thing with a friend of mine in church this morning.

There is really no other cure unless you want to try and invest in a item called a compressor blanket. They are made for almost any unit but you have to make sure to get the correct size.

This is just an example but if it works it will save you a lot of labor tearing the duct work out to insulate the inside part. I have used these successfully on many units. I have a few units you can only hear the fan whisper outside. No that is quiet.

Note this may not fit your compressor it is just an example of what they might look like.

BRINMAR SBRHD COMPRESSOR BLANKET/NOISE REDUCER 155623 - eBay (item 220498046224 end time Jan-18-10 09:05:17 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/BRINMAR-SBRHD-COMPRESSOR-BLANKET-NOISE-REDUCER-155623_W0QQitemZ220498046224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3356b52d10)

There is really no other cure unless you want to try and invest in a item called a compressor blanket. They are made for almost any unit but you have to make sure to get the correct size.

This is just an example but if it works it will save you a lot of labor tearing the duct work out to insulate the inside part. I have used these successfully on many units. I have a few units you can only hear the fan whisper outside. No that is quiet.

Note this may not fit your compressor it is just an example of what they might look like.

BRINMAR SBRHD COMPRESSOR BLANKET/NOISE REDUCER 155623 - eBay (item 220498046224 end time Jan-18-10 09:05:17 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/BRINMAR-SBRHD-COMPRESSOR-BLANKET-NOISE-REDUCER-155623_W0QQitemZ220498046224QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3356b52d10)

I did install a compressor blanket just yesterday with a heater as well, it did cut the noise in half maybe, but I like your idea of insulating the sheet metal which the installer did not do, and am not sure if it has a baffle in it or not, but I will check while insulating the sheet metal. Thanks very much for your time and professionalism. We need more people like you. Jim (previously from Washington CH, Ohio)

Thank you for the kind words. Make sure you use enough glue on that insulation install. Also get the correct stuff that is approved for duct work. If I were doing it I would also use a pin setter with a slide over snug fit washer but you need a spot welder to use those. That is the true way to do it and what you might consider doing is removing the sheet metal and taking it to a sheet metal shop in your area. They will do it correctly and save you time and possibly money. With the spot weld pins and glue it will never come loose and flap around inside the duct restricting the air flow.