Noisy A/C

Something I should have mentioned: I'm talking about from the outside with the windows down. Sorry, the whole discussion went off in the wrong direction. I first noticed it when I started the car remotely. You could hear it from way across the parking lot. I couldn't believe that was my quiet, high-tech Volt. It isn't terribly noisy from inside with windows up. The air blowing from the vents drowns it out. I think from what people have written that they're all pretty noisy. With a "normal" car you don't hear it much because the engine is so loud.