chicagofilter: that noise is driving me nuts. what can I do about it?

October 4, 2006 4:03 PM

chicagofilter: that noise is driving me nuts. what can I do about it?

I recently moved into a swanky new apartment complex in downtown chicago. it's by all means perfect. supermarkets, restaurants, dry cleaner and other businesses are right in the building, the elevators are fast and the views are stunning. coming from manhattan, it's also dirt cheap. it almost was as if the building was challenging me to find something to hate it for.

of course I did find something and it's driving me nuts. it's a humming sound. a loud one. like a giant vacuum or the apu of a 757. it's the air condition attached to the parking garage of a business high-rise next to my building. it runs on weekends, it runs at night. it drives me loco. the dark, ominous humming sound is impossible to ignore. did I mention it's loud?

so. I need to do something. I can't concentrate in here. do you think I should (a) write the building managers and actually hope anything will happen, (b) write the city and hope anything will actually happen (are there laws on acceptable noise levels?), (c) write my building manager and hope anything will actually happen, (d) move out or (e) buy a handgun?

posted by krautland to law & government (17 comments total)

How recently did you move? The last apartment I lived in was next to train tracks, in the flightpath of an airport, and not too far from a quarry (the dynamite blasts made things fall from my walls and shelves about once a week). Eventually I got used to the noise and didn't hear it anymore. Maybe you'll acclimate.

Other than that, I'd guess you'll have to move.
posted by christinetheslp at 4:18 PM on October 4, 2006

A white noise generator — on your computer or somewhere else?
posted by WCityMike at 4:23 PM on October 4, 2006

I'd talk to your building manager and see if he'll do the talking to the AC owners. If that fails, talk to the AC owners; it may be that the thing needs a simple adjustment that will make it quieter.

You could also try a noise-masking sound; I find Atmosphere Deluxe very useful for this, and the same people also make a non-specific noise "Sound Masker".
posted by Rubber Soul at 4:27 PM on October 4, 2006

I HATE THAT NOISE. I know what you are talking about. That noise is outside my boyfriend's bedroom window. The worst part is that it is on-and-off, so I never get used to it. I bought some low-pressure foam ear plugs to block it when I am asleep. You could use these during the day, too, I guess. Music will help. A fan set on low will help. Could you try technology? Noise cancelling headphones are supposed to work the best at cancelling out constant noises like this hum. And, they will keep your ears nice and warm. Hopefully, if it is an airconditioner, it won't be a problem in the winter.

You could write some letters, too. If you are nice in the letter, no one will be offended, but they might not do anything about it either. Can't say for sure, but if there isn't a law about this then there should be!
posted by Eringatang at 4:29 PM on October 4, 2006

christine: I've been in here for about 2.5 months now. it's one of those noises that you never notice while on a walkthrough. funny thing is - I used to live right next to LAX. I could literally see RW 25R out of my living room window. and I loved it. but this? driving me nuts.

erin: oh, you live in the presidential towers, too?

alas, I have noise-cancelling headphones and they really don't do too well with this low-frequency humming sound. I suppose I am an especially terrible case. I can't fade out the music at starbucks or a tv and I can't concentrate on writing or even just reading when someone is having a conversation next to me, even a completely uninteresting one.

multitasking is not one of my strengths.
posted by krautland at 5:07 PM on October 4, 2006

Unfortunately, Chicago is a big city which means you'll have all sorts of noise. Traffic, ambulances, the El, and annoying air conditioners/compressors. Look on the bright side - Chicago also has winter. Which means the a/c won't be on in that parking garage pretty soon. You'll have a few months of respite before they turn it back on in May/June.

I live in a high-rise in Chicago where I have the El outside my window. I've lived here for three years and it's certainly become part of the background - I barely notice it. I also looked at another complex downtown that was just close enough to Northwestern to get constant ambulance traffic. It happens. You get used to it. Like you said, there are certain things you can put up with and others you can't. If it's really that bad, can you break your lease or find a sublessor?
posted by Not in my backyard at 6:31 PM on October 4, 2006

Also, with Habitat, don't expect some wonderful response. They're known for being super responsive before you lease and then blowing you off afterwards. I did a student housing clinic in law school and a lot of our complaints were about Habitat.
posted by Not in my backyard at 6:32 PM on October 4, 2006

yes, many cities have noise ordinances, usually they have an entire section of their general plan called Noise that's mainly aimed at regulating airport and roadway noise as well as industrial noise pollution. i can't remember exactly but i think illinois does things differently though with regards to general plans.

So a quick look around the Municipal Code tells me that Chicago has restrictions on Marijuana Flavored Candy (section 8-4-018), but I can't find specific noise info.

Dept of the Environment seems to be the enforcer though:

< the department of environment's inspectors respond to a variety of citizen complaints. typically, environmental violations include odors, noise, air emissions, toxic or hazardous materials, junkyards and illegal dumping.br>
If you become aware of any of these activities, please call the Environment Complaint Line at [phone] >>

If nothing else, they'll know what the regs are.

Enjoy Pres Towers. My dad used to live there and it was pretty great (I don't remember any noise in particular).
posted by otherwordlyglow at 8:01 PM on October 4, 2006

Until a couple of months ago I lived in Printer's Row, South Loop. All kinds of noise. You just get used to it.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 9:11 PM on October 4, 2006

The people who run this A/C unit may have little incentive and/or little money to keep it in perfect condition. If it's worth it to you, how about approaching the manager and offering to pay for a tuneup? It might make the unit much quieter.
posted by allterrainbrain at 11:17 PM on October 4, 2006

So here's more on what Chicago does to regulate noise

And, I found the section in the Municipal Code Section 11-4 Article VII - Noise and Vibration Control. It's a lot to wade through but I bet your answer is in there somewhere regarding acceptable levels of noise. It's dependent on location and time in this instance.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 8:50 AM on October 5, 2006

all ... we are not talking about a residential-type a/c here but a giant slab of metal that's two floors tall. it's what they use to ventilate their parking garage.
posted by krautland at 9:55 AM on October 5, 2006

No, kraultand, I wish I lived in Chicago. But, still, I know that noise and detest that noise.
posted by Eringatang at 10:48 AM on October 5, 2006

Sorry for the misunderstanding, Krautland, but you described it as an air conditioner. Maybe this is a situation where you need to assess what kind of noise you can put up with - apparently this low loud hum isn't it, but can you put up with El noise? Ambulances? Maybe if you answer none of the above, you may want to consider a move to a higher floor in the building, or another building altogether. I'm painting with a broad brush here, but the complexes closer to the lake (with the exception of those close to Northwestern), west of Michigan Avenue, generally have less noise.

The last alternative you have is to call your alderman. I believe you are in the 2nd Ward, so your alderman is Madeline Haithcock. I actually work out at the same health club she does, and in our brief interactions, she's very, very nice.
posted by Not in my backyard at 3:34 PM on October 5, 2006

I think in low-frequency situations like this, adding more white noise unfortunately doesn't adequately mask the sound because you're not hearing but feeling the vibration, with all of your body.

You don't need a handgun -- too small. Instead, study Carrie Fischer's method in "The Blues Brothers."
posted by Rash at 11:26 AM on October 6, 2006

Chicago is great, but it is a maddeningly noisy city. Have you tried earplugs? They may take a little while to get used to, but they are worth it. My favorites are Flents Quiet Time.
posted by walla at 12:42 PM on October 6, 2006

I live in Wicker Park - I don't have a big ventilation unit near my building... However, I would try actually focusing on the hum of the machine - especially if you're trying to sleep. Trying not to focus on the noise by thinking about other various things can keep you up at night, your mind racing. If you focus on the hum it could become a type of 'white noise', much like the white noise generators others have suggested.

If this doesn't work, calling your alderman might be the best bet. I doubt that the building owner would respond to one neighbor's request to do something about the hum.
posted by youngergirl44 at 11:15 PM on October 11, 2006