Submitted by Casked_Away t3_yp9by9 in DIY
Hello DIY,
I have been searching for ways to reduce noise transfer from one part of my house to another that is coming through my HVAC ductwork. For example, we have our TV/movie area in our basement, but a movie, not even that loud, can be heard two floors up in a bedroom with an air return vent. Most of the things I have seen through Googling are just aimed at reducing the noise of the HVAC system itself, but that isn't my problem. Is there a way to insulate or perhaps use sound dampening panels on the outside of the ductwork in my basement ceiling to reduce the noise that is being carried up to the upstairs room? Would something have to be placed inside the ductwork instead? Or is there an easier way to handle this than what I am describing?
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Thanks in advance.
ShanghaiNick t1_ivi3wgj wrote
You would need to make an acoustic panel in your basement at least around the wall where the vent and duct is. You could use acoustic foam around the duct to prevent sound to some degree. But it sounds like you have a vent that is having sound transferred through it.
Since you cannot block the ventilation you will need to create barriers that prevent sound from entering closer to the sound source or at least a little ways away from the vent.