ASHP acoustic cover

[Tony K]

Anyone tried these? Any good? Expensive?

 

No matter where I put my ASHP it'll be audible to someone, and I'm interested in designing in a sound reducing set up from the outset if it's worth it. 

 

I'd be interested in anyone's experience of this technology. 

 

Thanks 

[joe90]

I was going to make one, but frankly my ASHP is so quiet I think it’s overkill.

[Tony K]

  On 28/07/2021 at 17:04, joe90 said:

I was going to make one, but frankly my ASHP is so quiet I think it’s overkill.

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I had considered making one using the stuff from recording studios. No idea if that would work mind you. 

 

How quiet is yours then? I thought they were typically 45-55 dB? 

Edited July 28, 2021 by Tony K

[joe90]

  On 28/07/2021 at 17:26, Tony K said:

How quiet is yours then?

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Never measured it but not invasive for sure, Mine is only on for the odd hour or so, I would live with it fir a while first. Actually my sewerage treatment plant was more annoying (24/7) so I moved the pump and used sound absorbing foam to make that quieter. I suppose all locations are different.

[Tony K]

  On 28/07/2021 at 18:17, joe90 said:

Never measured it but not invasive for sure, Mine is only on for the odd hour or so, I would live with it fir a while first. Actually my sewerage treatment plant was more annoying (24/7) so I moved the pump and used sound absorbing foam to make that quieter. I suppose all locations are different.

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How far away is yours from the house then? 

[dpmiller]

Mine's no noisier than a fridge and even the fan never seems to work up a sweat.

[joe90]

  On 28/07/2021 at 18:47, Tony K said:

 

How far away is yours from the house then? 

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150mm!

 

 

Edited July 28, 2021 by joe90

[joe90]

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:11, dpmiller said:

Mine's no noisier than a fridge and even the fan never seems to work up a sweat.

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mines a little noisier than my fridge.

[dpmiller]

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:24, joe90 said:

mines a little noisier than my fridge.

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your fridge is quieter than mine!

[Tony K]

I spoke to an environmental health officer I know about ASHPs. He said they can and do cause noise nuisance complaints.

 

Before I opted to use a heat pump I went along and listened to someone's, and it wasn't comparable to a fridge! The best argument I heard was that they aren't used in hot weather when neighbours windows are open, which made sense. 

 

I think I'll position it in the corner of the garden if possible, and then look into noise reduction if needed. 

 

 

[SteamyTea]

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:32, Tony K said:

Before I opted to use a heat pump I went along and listened to someone's, and it wasn't comparable to a fridge

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What make and model was it and what sort of power was it delivering when you viewed it?

[Tony K]

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:36, SteamyTea said:

What make and model was it and what sort of power was it delivering when you viewed it?

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Have to say I don't know. My own SB is small (100m2 single storey). Will that make a difference do you think? 

[SteamyTea]

  On 28/07/2021 at 22:14, Tony K said:

Will that make a difference do you think

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There are basically two types of ASHPs.

Fixed Speed/Fixed Output

Variable Speed/Variable Output (inverter driven)

 

A fixed speed is like having a car that only runs at maximum revs, all the time power is needed, then it shuts down. An inverter driven one can work at full speed if needed, but is usually working at a 'lower speed'. If the system is designed correctly, it will very really work at more than about 70% capacity.  As the noisy bit is generally the air fan, shifting less air reduces noise.

It may seem counter intuitive to oversize a heating system, but with HPs this is the norm, just like it is with cars.

[Tony K]

  On 29/07/2021 at 05:50, SteamyTea said:

There are basically two types of ASHPs.

Fixed Speed/Fixed Output

Variable Speed/Variable Output (inverter driven)

 

A fixed speed is like having a car that only runs at maximum revs, all the time power is needed, then it shuts down. An inverter driven one can work at full speed if needed, but is usually working at a 'lower speed'. If the system is designed correctly, it will very really work at more than about 70% capacity.  As the noisy bit is generally the air fan, shifting less air reduces noise.

It may seem counter intuitive to oversize a heating system, but with HPs this is the norm, just like it is with cars.

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That's very useful, thanks. 

[dpmiller]

plus some also have low noise/ night mode which trades a tiny bit of efficiency for less disturbance.

[Gone West]

  On 28/07/2021 at 16:07, Tony K said:

No matter where I put my ASHP it'll be audible to someone

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At my last house our neighbours had a Nibe ASHP fitted which was 2m away from our fence. We lived in a quiet rural spot and standing next to our fence it was inaudible until it went into, what I guess was, defrost mode, when there was a hissing sound that lasted a couple of seconds.

[Dave Jones]

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:32, Tony K said:

I spoke to an environmental health officer I know about ASHPs. He said they can and do cause noise nuisance complaints.

 

Before I opted to use a heat pump I went along and listened to someone's, and it wasn't comparable to a fridge! The best argument I heard was that they aren't used in hot weather when neighbours windows are open, which made sense. 

 

I think I'll position it in the corner of the garden if possible, and then look into noise reduction if needed. 

 

 

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crikey the luddites here all run silent heatpumps that cost 1p a day in winter and never run out of hot water. Dont expect to get impartial advice.

[Tony K]

  On 29/07/2021 at 14:56, Dave Jones said:

 

crikey the luddites here all run silent heatpumps that cost 1p a day in winter and never run out of hot water. Dont expect to get impartial advice.

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You sound like you've had slightly more negative experiences?

[Dave Jones]

  On 29/07/2021 at 15:28, Tony K said:

 

You sound like you've had slightly more negative experiences?

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just realistic. A normal brick and block house with a family they are unsuitable when compared to gas. Yes you can go back to the 70's with tanks and cylinders in the loft, real world you will be paying 300-500 a month in the winter for electric as they dont work when it gets very cold.

 

Read up before taking the plunge.

[Moonshine]

  On 29/07/2021 at 16:19, Dave Jones said:

Read up before taking the plunge.

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where?

[PeterW]

  On 29/07/2021 at 16:19, Dave Jones said:

 

just realistic. A normal brick and block house with a family they are unsuitable when compared to gas. Yes you can go back to the 70's with tanks and cylinders in the loft, real world you will be paying 300-500 a month in the winter for electric as they dont work when it gets very cold.

 

Read up before taking the plunge.

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incorrect on most counts but hey, that’s your opinion. 
 

145sqm 3 bed, brick and block with UFH. 300 litre UVC (no loft tanks), 9kW ASHP and stats set to 19°C and there is a post heater in the MVHR and all that costs around £120 / month in coldest part of winter last year on Bulb E7 tariff. That was for the period when it was -5°C and sometimes down to -8°C last winter. 
 

For an ASHP to not work requires temperatures below -16°C for the older units and -22°C for the newer gases. 
 

Newer gases can produce 56°C water temperatures, and can still hit CoP of 2.5. 
 

  On 29/07/2021 at 14:56, Dave Jones said:

 

crikey the luddites here all run silent heatpumps that cost 1p a day in winter and never run out of hot water. Dont expect to get impartial advice.

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I think you’re not using the term Luddite correctly - that would be someone who doesn’t move on with the times and prefers old technology … bit like 1980’s combi boilers .. 
 

  On 28/07/2021 at 21:32, Tony K said:

I spoke to an environmental health officer I know about ASHPs. He said they can and do cause noise nuisance complaints.

 

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They do - usually when badly sited, and undersized or incorrect type. As said above, the variable speed or inverter drive ones are much better. Sound can be reflected very oddly by walls and buildings, soft landscaping can soon change the noise levels. 

[SteamyTea]

  On 29/07/2021 at 16:25, Moonshine said:

  On 29/07/2021 at 16:19, Dave Jones said:

Read up before taking the plunge.

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where?

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Yes, I would like to know where all the reports of these failing ASHPs is.

[joe90]

  On 29/07/2021 at 16:19, Dave Jones said:

just realistic. A normal brick and block house with a family they are unsuitable when compared to gas. Yes you can go back to the 70's with tanks and cylinders in the loft, real world you will be paying 300-500 a month in the winter for electric as they dont work when it gets very cold.

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Ha, you don’t give up do you?. @Tony K like several here and many others I have an ASHP in a brick and block house, yes with good insulation, double, not triple glazed windows and I am very happy with my fairly quiet ASHP. I AM a Luddite (I don’t like a lot of tech) but I designed my own heating system by reading lots and listening to other forum members who have personal knowledge about how these things work. My summer bills are approx £60 per month and about £90 in winter. (Whole electrical bill) When I designed my system I asked about running during the warmer part of the day rather than colder nights and I think it was @SteamyTea that pointed out the COP figure drops in relation to relative humidity rather than temperature (is that right Nick?) That is why ASHP,s run well in very cold countries with low relative humidity. I believe @Dave Jones had a bad installation which is why he is so negative about the whole ASHP debate. Yes, a heating system using an ASHP is very different to a gas boiler and it’s a bit like comparing apples to plumbs, but if designed properly can work very well. I am sure there are installers that do not know how to instal them correctly which is why there is some bad press out there.

[Dave Jones]

  On 29/07/2021 at 14:56, Dave Jones said:

 

crikey the luddites here all run silent heatpumps that cost 1p a day in winter and never run out of hot water. Dont expect to get impartial advice.

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looking at the rep[ies, what did i tell you at the fanboys. "My house is 10000m2 and only costs £1 a day and its never on for more than 1 minute etc etc "

 

You'll only ever hear one side of heat pumps on here, have a good read up on the other side.

[Moonshine]

  On 30/07/2021 at 05:09, Dave Jones said:

You'll only ever hear one side of heat pumps on here, have a good read up on the other side.

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Can you direct me where to read up on the other side, genuinely interested.