Are Air Source Heat Pumps Noisy?

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

An air-source heat pump (ASHP) is a reversible heat pump that uses the outside air as a heat source when in heating mode or as a heat sink when in cooling mode. They work by absorbing heat from the outside air and using this to heat your home and water. They are a fantastic low-carbon way of heating your home. Even in an air temperature as low as -25°C, heat can still be extracted. Even though an air source heat pump requires electricity to operate, it typically uses less energy than it produces. Air source heat pumps are a highly efficient greener equivalent to boiler heating systems. Here at Finbra Smart Plumbing, our qualified installers in Suffolk Coastal, Ipswich, and the surrounding Woodbridge areas, are highly experienced in air source heat pump installation. To start your journey towards greener renewable energy, call us today.

Are Heat Pumps Noisy?

All heating products are likely to make some noise. However, heat pumps are usually quieter than fossil fuel boilers. The noise levels of heat pumps are a common concern. Especially among owners of domestic properties. An air-source heat pump may reach 40-60 decibels, but this usually depends on installation and manufacturer. The volume of noise also depends on how much work is required of your heat pump. The greater the workload, the louder the heat pump will be. This is due to the speed of the fan that draws warm air into the compressor.

To put that into context, 10dB is the level of noise produced by rustling leaves. 25 is a whisper. 60dB – the level you can expect from a typical air source heat pump – is the equivalent of a quiet office.

What Does an Air Source Heat Pump Sound Like?

Air source heat pumps shouldn’t make more than a low whirring sound. The volume of the noise can depend on how much work the heat pump is doing. The greater the workload, the louder the heat pump will be. This is down to the speed that the fan works at to draw warm air into the compressor.

Typically air-source heat pumps will be noisier than ground source heat pumps. However, this is in no way prohibitive and will not be an issue if installation is planned carefully. Depending on the system, the quality of maintenance and the quality of installing an air source heat pump will have up to 60 decibels of noise. This is assuming that you are one meter away from the unit.

Air Source Heat Pump Noise Regulations

There are official planning requirements in regards to air source heat pump noise. Measured from a distance equal to that separating the unit and the next-door property, air-source heat pumps must be below 42 decibels. The noise levels may be between 40-60 decibels from just a meter distance, therefore the levels drop significantly as you move away from the system. In practice, this means that the only way an ASHP would be a problem for neighbours is if the installation planning isn’t rigorous and the heat pump is located incorrectly. Noise pollution is calculated during the design stage of the heat pump installation to avoid disturbing your neighbours with any operation noises. The outdoor unit should be sited as far away from the neighbouring property as possible.

Air Source Heat Pump Installation

Air source heat pumps are simple to install. Here at Finbra, our qualified installers are highly experienced and well trained in all aspects of air source heat pump installation. You will need to start by registering the energy device with your Distribution Network Operator. They are responsible for bringing electricity into your home. One of our qualified installers can do this for you.

Once registered, we will turn up with all the required equipment to complete the installation efficiently. We will also leave your garden how we found it. No external digging outside your property will be required for an air source heat pump. However, the air source heat pump will need to be located somewhere outside of your property with good airflow.

Once the air source heat pump has been installed, we’ll test the new heating system and we’ll explain to you how it works and all the controls. We’ll also answer any questions you may have for you to get the most out of your air source heat pump.

If you’re looking for a more energy-efficient way to heat your home, contact Finbra Smart Plumbing. Our qualified installers are highly experienced and highly trained in all aspects of air source and ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers.