It’s a good question and an important one in the decision-making process.
Heat pumps come in many shapes and sizes and the noise they emit will change based on the quality of the unit and the efforts made by the manufacturer to minimise noise impact.
The good news though is that most air source heat pumps are quiet, and getting quieter as new models are brought to market.
Let’s take a look at the different heat pumps you can get in the UK and the associated noise levels. In general terms:
In terms of what they sound like, when working properly, a heat pump will make a low whirring noise. This is classed as white or background noise.
The legal noise limit for a heat pump measured from your neighbour’s property is 42 decibels. 20 decibels is the equivalent of leaves rustling, 25-30 decibels is a whisper and 40 decibels is the typical noise made by a refrigerator. Many of the latest heat pumps can operate as low as 40dB, but depending on how hard they are working, this may increase to 60dB, which is the same volume as human conversation.
Note the distance - this is the level when you are just 1 metre away. Further than that and the noise levels reduce rapidly. So, this brings us to an important part of the installation process - where to install it. It shouldn't be within 1m of the boundary of your property, although government has relaxed this requirement. Your local, certified Thermly installer will recommend the best place, having undertaken a review of the property. But you can also think of the best place outside - try to steer clear of places near to or under your windows, for example!
This table provides a breakdown of where a heat pump sits in terms of noise when compared to other sources of sound, just to give you an idea of what it might be like:
We've built the following table using manufacturer data on noise during operation. Bear in mind though that this list is by no means exhaustive, and when your Thermly installer designs the system you'll receive a full breakdown of the technical specifications of the system, including noise levels.
If they're operating, they're going to make a noise - at the same level as they would during the day. If it's colder at night, then they are likely to work a little harder, so will be slightly noisier, within the decibel scale they're designed for. Ambient noise from other sources at night tends to be slightly lower (for example from cars and traffic), so other sources of noise can therefore feel more prominent, but the actual decibel level will be the same.
Everyone has a right to make a complaint - usually to the local council's environmental health department - in the event a neighbour is making an excessive noise. The council will then investigate accordingly. However, when it comes to a heat pump, firstly they're designed to be as quiet as possible, but secondly (and perhaps partially as a result of improved noise levels) the government removed a previous restriction that a heat pump could not be located within one metre of your neighbour's boundary.
Overall, it's highly unlikely now that any noise complaint from a heat pump would be upheld. That doesn't mean to say you shouldn't consider a range of factors, including your neighbours, in siting decisions, and your Thermly installer will look at different location options with you.
Like all devices of a similar nature, low levels of noise will be emitted. However, as long as you have carefully considered the type of heat pump you are going to install, and can site it appropriately, noise issues really shouldn’t be a concern - for you or your neighbours.
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