Acoustics

Beyond concert halls and theaters, great acoustics often go unnoticed. Yet it only takes moments to notice when ambient sound feels off. Distracting noise levels can work against people, making it difficult to communicate and concentrate. Research has shown that up to a third of all K-12 students are missing up to 33 percent of verbal communications in class.¹ Conversely, an appropriate level of sound can be helpful, improving comprehension and creativity.² Part of our approach is tuning a building’s acoustics to the task.

The HVAC system is a manageable part of a building’s acoustics. We can support the building’s design team by providing straightforward data that enables them to determine how much equipment sound will travel into occupied spaces. Accurate HVAC acoustics information can be added to decisions about sound-reducing architectural features and construction materials—supporting a holistic approach to acoustical design.

Reducing equipment noise, especially at low frequencies like the rumble of a chiller, is a challenging physics problem. Our acoustical engineers are constantly innovating for better sound. When buildings need quiet, Trane delivers appropriate system solutions. (Our Ascend® Model ACR is considered one of the quietest chillers in the world.)

Achieving better sound requires minimizing uncertainties as the building is designed. Trane is an industry leader in providing accurate, comprehensive acoustical data for our products and system designs within the building context. Quiet products are only the beginning of Trane’s scientific approach to building acoustics.