It's a capacitor...so it doesn't make any noise. Is it energy efficient? Again...it's a capacitor. Air distribution is N/A.
It is of good quality. It fixed my air conditioner. It's the second one I've installed in 12 years. BTW...all of you air conditioner users out there -- when you A/C is working over time it is best to replace the compressor/fan run capacitors every 4 years or so.