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Acoustic Analyzer™

Occupant comfort is a goal for all HVAC designers and sound (or noise) is a key parameter in measuring comfort. For most applications, it is the HVAC designer that is tasked with creating a comfortable acoustic environment to minimize background sound from the HVAC system .

Acoustic Analyzer software is a DesignToolTM developed by McQuay to help designers estimate the sound of HVAC equipment in a space or outside a building. The information generated by the software can help determine if equipment will meet specifications, if a barrier is required for outdoor equipment, or where a silencer should be located in an air handling system.

The software allows you to create a virtual scenario with your HVAC design parameters using one of twenty design templates like such as a classroom, gymnasium, museum, and more.  After you select your template and HVAC design, you can choose an analysis type.

Software Demonstration

Acoustic Analyzer Demonstration (5MB)

You will need Adobe® Flash Player to view this demo

Order A Copy

Acoustic Analyzer software is available from your local McQuay Representative. Click here to locate your representative.

System Analyses

Three types of analyses can be performed :

  • Outdoor – is used to estimate sound levels at the property line or an adjacent building created by air-cooled chillers, rooftop units and cooling towers
  • Zoned (Decentralized) Comfort Systems – is used to estimate sound levels of equipment that resides in or near the occupied space. These include systems that reside in the occupied space (i.e. PTAC or fan coil) and units that are ducted away from or above the occupied space (i.e. water source heat pumps in a corridor or above a ceiling). The software takes into account the room effect, duct breakout and the return air path and discharge versus radiated sound pathways in its calculations.
  • Central Systems – is used to estimate sound levels from equipment that serves multiple spaces (i.e. an air handler and water-cooled chiller). The equipment tends to be larger (resulting in greater sound power), but it is typically more removed from occupants. Acoustic Analyzer divides central systems into two categories - large is used for applications with open office spaces and defined is used for all other applications. Acoustic Analyzer can perform several different acoustic evaluations of a central system, including:
    • Supply and return duct sound. A special feature allows the mechanical room to be included in the return air path. This is specifically meant for vertical self-contained systems that often use the mechanical room as the return air plenum.
    • Diffuser sound.
    • Terminal unit radiated sound.
    • Sound transmitted through a wall.
    • Sound breakout from any node on the supply or return duct.

Analysis Summary and Output Reports

All Acoustic Analyzer calculations are summarized on the analysis summary page. Summary or a detailed report can be printed. The summary report provides basic information from the analysis summary screen. The detailed report provides a breakout of the sound power from each path in data and graph form to produce professional report.

Minimum System Requirements

  • Windows 98, 2000, XP or higher
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 (included)
  • Sound Card and speaker for Acoustic Simulator
  • Microsoft Office 97 or higher (with Microsoft Graph) for reports
  • 600 MHz or faster Pentium III
  • 128 MB Memory
  • 10 GB Disk Drive
  • 1024x768 Resolution