ASHP noise

[newhome]

Hope this isn’t normal ....

 

https://www.facebook.com/100014753527643/videos/1038971309937977/?

 

Not sure if this link will work for everyone.
 

This is the next door neighbour’s video complaining about someone’s ASHP. 

 

Permission given to share the video. 

[joe90]

50+ db is not acceptable IMO. I wonder how the “rules/law” can deal with this

 

edit, just found this on the gov website.......

Permitted noise levels

The permitted noise level using A-weighted decibels (the unit environmental noise is usually measured in) is:

• 34 dBA (decibels adjusted) if the underlying level of noise is no more than 24 dBA
• 10 dBA above the underlying level of noise if this is more than 24 dBA
  
   
• from.     https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

Edited December 8, 2020 by joe90

[newhome]

 

 

Original message. 
 

I’ve uploaded a video of what we listen to most of the year. Been like this several years now - only slowly getting worse. I usually manage to get to February before I’m spitting blood, now I’ve had enough in early December. 

Rural village. Conservation area. No PP was applied for. I ‘think’ I know install company. I did some calling round last winter. Very off hand and defensive over the phone. 

Fence. Six foot ultra close boarded (double) window triple glazed on drive. Adjoining living room. Conservatory virtually unusable - unless you like the sound of living in an industrial estate. So, far my wallet if £1.5K lighter with fence and window. Other side of fence owner has lined the fence with sound insulation. We have had dialogue over the issue. Probably installers have suggested this. It has made a marginal difference. Before it was 52-54DBa one metre from window. 

One anonymous complaint has already been lodged by a neighbour (not me, it’s not my style), never has been. 

We live in a beautiful property overlooking fields behind us. Honest- we have come to the conclusion our lovely home would be unsalable in the present circumstances. 

NIMBY I’m not. I’m as easy going as an easy going person. But, surely this cannot be right?

Any helpful suggestions would be very much appreciated. I’ve had several suggestions -quite a few non legal if you get my drift...

[Temp]

I just looked at the data sheet for a gas boiler (Worcester Bosch Greenstar 25-30 Si Compact) and it quotes 52 dB(A) sound power level indoors.  I guess its different when its your own noise.

 

 

 

[Temp]

https://www.imsheatpumps.co.uk/blog/are-heat-pumps-noisy/#:~:text=Depending on the system%2C quality,metre away from the unit.

 

Quote

Depending on the system, quality of installation, and quality of maintenance – an air source heat pump will have 40 to 60 decibels of noise. Again, this is assuming you are one metre away from the unit. The upper limit is not a common phenomenon.

 

There are official planning requirements with regards to air source heat pump noise. ASHPs must be below 42 decibels, measured from a distance equal to that separating the unit and the next door property. The noise might be between 40 to 60 decibels from just a metre distance (probably much quieter in reality), and the levels drop significantly as you move away.
 

 

 

I thinking that installing one at the side of a house might make things worse because the noise will reflect off the walls of your house. Might be better to put them in a rear garden?

Edited December 8, 2020 by Temp

[joe90]

8 minutes ago, Temp said:

There are official planning requirements with regards to air source heat pump noise. ASHPs must be below 42 decibels, measured from a distance equal to that separating the unit and the next door property.

that's not ambiguous. Someone should tell them.

[nod]

Are they always so loud 

We did the plastering and rendering on 60 houses Most where in blocks of 4 or 6 All had a unit directly next to the patios 

Many where back to back 

 

[PeterW]

Looks like that is too close to the wall (min 300mm)  and it is also out of balance - wonder when the fans were cleaned last .?
 

Noise will be amplified by the wall and the fence - quickest fix is turn the ASHP 90 degrees to the wall(s) and it will reduce the noise substantially and probably improve the performance too. 
 

Out of the box it’s 52dB so it’s definitely louder than the agreed level but that install doesn’t look good. 
 

 

[Timedout]

Oil boilers make a terrible racket too. Particularly the external ones. And they stink of kerosene.

[Onoff]

5 minutes ago, Timedout said:

Oil boilers make a terrible racket too. Particularly the external ones. And they stink of kerosene.

 

Mine is a boiler house type and fairly noisy but it doesn't smell unless I bleed it.

[ProDave]

46 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

Mine is a boiler house type and fairly noisy but it doesn't smell unless I bleed it.

I think he is referring to stinking outside.

 

I have made the point several times that I believe my ASHP is about as noisy as the burner on an oil boiler.  Exept that noise from the ASHP is outside so I don't hear it, whereas the last house had the oil boiler inside the utility room.

[Onoff]

8 hours ago, ProDave said:

I think he is referring to stinking outside.

 

I have made the point several times that I believe my ASHP is about as noisy as the burner on an oil boiler.  Exept that noise from the ASHP is outside so I don't hear it, whereas the last house had the oil boiler inside the utility room.

 

Gotcha. I wouldn't say mine's particularly stinky outside tbh. Must be pretty noxious though as it's rotted the flue grille. Also stained the adjacent uPVC frame a bit.

 

I've added on this in my boxing in thread.

Edited December 9, 2020 by Onoff

[Gone West]

14 hours ago, newhome said:

Hope this isn’t normal ....

Our neighbour has a NIBE single fan ASHP at the side of his bungalow which is less than 2m from our fence and it can't be heard in our garden even when standing next to the fence. The only time I have ever heard it is when it stops and there is a whooshing sound for a couple of seconds.