Blocking traffic noise plan, is this viable?

[ziyue]

Hi,

I have just moved into a new apartment, and the noise from the street is killing me, so I am thinking of sound proofing the place using the following, please let me know if they are viable or if there are better solutions.

The main room I want to sound proof or dampen is the living room. My door and the window next to it face directly at the street, and it's a busy one. The window next to the door also has an AC installed through it, which I am sure is contributing to the noise problem by the air vent, and these thin flaps that sort of block off the extra space between the AC and the window frame.

There are several other windows that seem to be letting in noise as well, but not as much. So, here is my plan.

1. Make a plug for the window next to my door, facing street and has the AC installed through it. I intend to buy the 1.5" thick foam mat, mount it onto a board, cut out a section for the AC, and plug the window through that.

2. Then, I intend to use the clear vinyl plastic to dampen all my other windows.

Along that line, I have some questions which I hope somebody can help with.
1. Would the Plug hinder the AC unit at all? The only thing I can think of is the heat maybe the AC unit will generate. But then that part of the AC is actually outside of the house.
2. I don't quite understand the procedure for applying the clear vinyl to the windows. Do I spray the distilled water+"no tear" on the window itself or the vinyl? How secure is it?
3. Which thickness of clear vinyl should I get? Since the window does open, by lifting the bottom one up, I am bit worried about the extra thickness of the vinyl preventing the bottom window from opening.
4. How easy is it to peel off the vinyl once applied? I am renting the place, so I don't want to make any permanent changes.
5. There are buses that go by my street, so, would all this sound dampening work for the low-bassy sound of a bus?
6. Any other suggestions are welcome.


Thank you!

[Randy S]

Ok, if you leave the AC in the window then the window is still open to outside noise and the plug will have little effect. Not worried about heat because the unit disapates heat through the back.
As far as clear vinyl on the glass this is a minimum reduction value because you are not creating the dead air space needed for maximum reduction value.
It would be like you putting your hand on the speaker while its playing...its still playing just not the same way..its a " Band-aid"
Thicker would be better but you would have to use a small amount of super glue in the top two corners to avoid slippage.
Now for the buses, no dead air space = very very little reduction.!!

Make the Plugs! and remove the AC.