The UK government has set a target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 as part of its bid to decarbonise heating.
While there are fewer than 50,000 fitted in British homes every year, demand is set to skyrocket as eco-conscious consumers demand greener energy and installers bring prices down.
But the potential noise problem presented by the humming of multipleair source heat pumps in residential areas has prompted an official government review by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
How do heat pumps produce noise?
Heat pumps pump heat from one place to another. They use a compressor and a circulating structure of liquid or gas refrigerant to extract heat from outside sources and pump it indoors.
There are two different types – air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air, while ground source heat pumps use pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground.
The reason air source heat pumps are relatively noisy is the main elements – compressor, AC condenser, expansion valve, fan, and evaporator – can all be heard operating when in use, particularly the compressor and the fan.
There is also noise produced by vibrations. The air can produce noise when passing through the heat exchanger, with a variable intensity depending on the pressure. This causes buzzing sounds to be emitted and it’s this constant hum that can disturb homeowners and neighbours, particularly when there are several heat pumps operating in close proximity.
If you’re wondering “how do heat pumps work?”, click on the link for a deeper dive into the technology.
How much noise do they produce?
To ensure neighbours aren’t disturbed duringair source heat pump installationPermitted Development requires sound levels to not exceed 42 decibels when measured at a point one metre away from the neighbour’s nearest door or window.
According to manufacturer Environ Technologies, an air source heat pump generally produces noise levels of 40-60 decibels from a distance of one metre away, depending on the model.
However, units get quieter as the technology evolves. For example, the latest model ofMitsubishi Electric’s latest Ecodan air source heat pumpclaims to be quieter than the average gas boiler.
Calls for trials to assess impact of noise pollution
While individual units are quiet, experts fear that multiple heat pumps in a residential area could cumulatively lead to a noise problem.
The Telegraph reportsthat issues around noise pollution were reported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and a review on the issue is being prepared.
Mike Foster, chief executive of utilities lobby group the Energy and Utilities Alliance, told The Telegraph that heat pumps should undergo a trial before they are rolled out.
“我们知道噪声周围的担忧from heat pumps, he said. “If the Government really cared about consumers they would order a large-scale trial, with every home having a heat pump fitted, to test the cumulative noise levels of mass heat pump installations.”
Meanwhile, Chris Harvey, Heating Specialist fromStelrad, tells Homebuilding & Renovating “All heating products will make noise, the volume of noise will depend on how much work the product is doing.
"For heat pumps, the greater the workload, the louder the heat pump will be. This is due to the speed of the fan that is drawing warm air into the compressor. But if you stood next to a heat pump, you’d expect the noise level to be similar to a microwave or a whirring desk-top fan.
"It might be irritating if it was in your bedroom and you wanted peace and quiet, but the good news is that heat pumps are kept outside, out of the way.
Government orders review into noise from heat pumps
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it expects the review to be released by summer. It will probe how design enhancements and installation locations can reduce the volume.
A Defra spokesperson said: “Heat pumps are a proven, scalable option for decarbonising heat. These are located outside the home and typically have sound levels similar to a fridge.
“We have seen incredible innovation over the past decade, particularly in noise reduction, and are reviewing this to ensure planning rules keep pace with advances in technology.”
How to minimise heat pump noise
Chris Harvey explained that minimising noise pollution from your heat pump is all about positioning.
"If you are worried about this noise, then the location that you install them in should be the first thing that you consider. You probably shouldn’t place a heat pump below any windows, so ensure that proper planning is conducted before installing and there shouldn’t be an issue," he told Homebuilding & Renovating.
"There are official planning requirements when it comes to air source heat pumps (which will be noisier than ground source heat pumps), however, this should not be a problem if planned carefully. They need to be installed by an expert, and really it all comes down to location and where you are positioning them.
"It’s understandable that people will be concerned if there is constant humming in residential areas (if hundreds are placed outside people’s homes). Research is currently being done regarding the cumulative noise levels of heat pumps, so perhaps a trial should be undertaken before they are all rolled out to test the cumulative noise levels of mass heat pump installations.
"Perhaps a better design can reduce the noise volume, as well as how they are positioned, this is something which the technology and innovations that we have seen in recent years should be able to help with.”
