There is no shortage of noise being generated around data centers by project critics spouting misinformation. In a recent class-action lawsuit filed in federal court against data center builder and operator DataOne USA, a handful of New Jersey residents claim that a nearby facility emits “a very loud industrial noise;” they say it “sounds like a helicopter hovering, loud fans like you’re at an airport.”This case — and others that will inevitably follow — have far more to do with enriching trial lawyers than quieting loud noises. While data centers make some sounds (like most things in this world), the evidence shows that these noises are well within normal and safe ranges for humans. The anti-progress camp and their friends in the trial bar ought to pipe down and let data centers keep humming along. The “data centers are noisy” trope has been frequently raised… and debunked. According to a sweeping 2024 review by the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, noise from data centers — even at facilities that have generated resident complaints — is generally comparable to ordinary background sounds and substantially quieter than many common activities.
JLARC found that reported noise levels at selected data centers with complaints typically ranged from 40 to 59 decibels, placing them below the level of a normal conversation at 3 feet (about 60 decibels) and far below louder everyday noises such as lawn mowers (around 90 decibels) or aircraft takeoffs (around 130 decibels). These findings suggest that while data center noise may be noticeable in some circumstances, it is little more than a whisper compared to the high-intensity sounds commonly associated with significant noise pollution.
