When people shop for heating and cooling equipment, they often focus on energy savings, reliability, and the installer's reputation. A Reddit post from one unhappy homeowner points to another issue that can matter just as much after the system is in place: noise.
Here's what to know
In the post, the homeowner said a newly installed Carrier Performance two-stage compressor made a high-pitched sound, despite the extra money spent on hiring a reputable installer. "I'm attaching a video of the hum it gives off. It's just high enough that it drills into my brain!" they wrote.
(Click here if the embedded video does not appear.)
The homeowner also said their old Carrier system had been much quieter, writing that it "never made that kind of noise!" They said they had been told that "quality of installation is just as important as the actual equipment," but still ended up with a sound they "can't live with."
Replies to the thread suggested the problem may not be unique. One user wrote, "Mine makes the same noise. Can't hardly stand in the room it's closest to," while another had the opposite reaction, stating, "My god that's bad. My neighbor has the same one and it's nearly silent."
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More background
The discussion also highlighted how tricky it can be to pin down a noise complaint like this. One commenter pointed to a possible "harmonic vibration from the fan blade" and said that "even just adjusting the blade lower on the motor shaft could change its resonate frequency enough to remove the hum." Another suggested checking the unit's real-world noise against the decibel ratings listed in the manual.
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The poster said the system already had a compressor blanket and that the installer had tried to address the issue. They also mentioned a one-year warranty, writing: "I'd rather not do that, but they don't seem to be able to fix it."
What can be done?
If you're replacing your system, ask your installer for the model's rated sound levels, where the outdoor unit should be placed, and what mitigation options are available if noise becomes an issue. You can also ask whether the contractor has dealt with similar complaints before and how they resolved them.
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An HVAC upgrade can still be a smart, money-saving move — but this homeowner's experience suggests operating volume should be treated as a key buying consideration, not something to think about later.
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