Droning Exhaust Fan and Vibrating Heat Pump

RooftopBoiler

Hi Everyone –

I have two plumbing/hvac issues I was hoping someone may have information on, and have attached pictures/video. I live in a condo building with a rooftop boiler room for reference, and the boiler room contains I think 2 furnaces and 3 hot water heaters. Also the building has about 30 units

The first issue is an Acme exhaust fan on the roof of the room that causes noise and some vibration in my unit. It’s a brand-new fan, but unfortunately sounds like it’s very slight griding and droning 24/7. The building is wood-framed, and so any vibration travels quite easily, and I think the fan only has a rubber insulated base. Also, the room has a ~12” X 5” vent on the access door

Could it be put on a timer or temperature-based control dial?

Is there state or federal code that mandates this type of ventilation? Could the fan be smaller?

Maybe it just needs to be serviced/oiled/balanced? Or a better base with springs?

ModelPRN.PDF (acmefan.com)

The second issue is a Taco circulator that causes low level vibration throughout my unit. I think it’s a fairly older one, and I have a bunch of pictures and a video below. It definitely is worse in the winter, which leads me to believe it’s variable based on how much people have their heat up. I’m also guessing based on the yellow tag dates that it does not get serviced consistently by our management company

Does there seem to be air in the system?

Is there anything that can be done to reduce vibration (like better insulation)?

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

I really appreciate any suggestions or advice you could offer on either of these issues

Thanks!

M

EdTheHeaterMan

When I hear customers describe a Humming from HVAC or other mechanical equipment, I have my GoTo antidote: The Humming is because it forgot the words, If you can place the sheet music in plane view, sometimes the humming stops.

But this is an Acme Product, and I would refer you the on site Acme Product expert:

Otherwise placing some Rubber mounting brackets inside the Clevis hangers might reduce the noise.

That sound you hear in the video is normal operation, but the fact that it is traveling thru the piping to the apartment you live in, That is just a bummer. And the grinding noise from the fan, that sounds like an adjustment is necessary, especially for a new piece of equipment. Can you contact the Installing Contractor?

RooftopBoiler

Hi @EdTheHeaterMan Thanks for the reply. Haha yes that is definitely who it feels like I'm dealing with sometimes. I think some rubber brackets are a great idea, and would make it so that there isn't metal on metal. Also, I have tried contacting the contractor, but it hasn't really led anywhere unfortunately. I think I'll give it another try though now that the fan is grinding more than usual, and see if there's anything they can do.

EdTheHeaterMan

Are you the man in charge of maintenance? or are you a tenant paying rent, or an owner of your own unit?

This will determint your next move. Do you bring a lawsuit, or contact the department of health or do you insist on warranty repairs based on your relationship with the contractor?

The squeaky wheel gets the most attention. So make more noise than the appliance. A daily phone call and some letters to management, especially the Certified ones are all ways to make noise. Holding back rent in an escrow account is also an incentive. especially if a lawyer has the dinero that the landlord is expecting. It has something the do with the term "Quiet Enjoyment" that should part of your lease.

RooftopBoiler

Yea that's absolutely true, I've sent a series of emails to our management company who is in charge of maintenance and repairs, and eventually got the old fan replaced, but unfortunately the new one is mostly more of the same. The old fan actually ran off of a temperature-based sensor, rather than this current controller that is only high to low or off. I may however get the HOA board more involved because they haven't been cc'd on most of the emails.

I'm the owner of the unit so wouldn't be able to withhold rent (possibly could do HOA dues however). I think though that contacting the city would be a good idea, and I thought about asking the inspector if this high level of exhaust fan is even necessary. Do you think it might even be worth contacting Acme to see if they have suggestions? I was able to find a customer service #

mattmia2

Some combination of find someone yourself capable of fixing it and contact the condo board to pay for it.