Heat pump install gone wrong.

Pegleg

Hi All,

We live in the countryside with no gas network, I looked at electric underfloor heating, electric rads, night storage. Decided to go for air to air heat pump/air con. Install finished yesterday (Wednesday) we have an issue with the noise of the unit, it is in the loft, it is a 14kw system, so a big unit for a small semi-det. But I guess we need it that size for the heat. We've tested it over the last couple of days and the noise is unacceptable, when it's on its like having an idling car parked in your attic. We have a toddler and a new baby turning up in 3 weeks, we would have to live with this noise and I think it's unfair for them. Especially, as we enjoy the peace of the countryside, it is gonna be broken by this continuous drone.

So that's the background,
We have decided we want them to remove the system and take it back, now before I tell the company, I want to check my legal standing. I accept that I will have to probably pay for labour and consumables they have used to install, so some money loss will happen their, as for the system since we getting them to take it out and returning it to them, we should not have to pay for that or the loss that it's come out of the box and is now second hand.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect our how best to deal with this?

Hintza

Ask them how much to take it out and how much they can give you for the unit. Keep this very civil because legally I don't think you have a leg to stand on.

The one caveat would be, is the unit faulty or is it installed incorrectly? I think I would be quietly trying to find someone who has the same unit or an engineer that can advise you. What does the brochure say about noise levels.

Not sure if I would be too hasty.

By the way the kids won't even notice it and if you use that as an excuse you will start to sound slightly desperate.

OlliesDad

Is it possible to get some sort of sound enclosure or some way to dampen the noise?

Hintza

Have a look at this video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1nUzrFAwTI

It looks like the noise level is meant to be around the 50dB range.

Will an Air Source Heat Pump cause any Noise Issues?

Because air source heat pumps only need a small amount of space, they are ideal for use in flats and houses in urban areas. Most have an actual heat pump which is usually sited in a utility room or garage and an air handling unit with a fan which is sited outdoors. The air handling unit can generate up to fifty decibels of noise, which is much like the noise from an American style refrigerator. For this reason, the air unit for this system is best situated a number of metres away from windows and doors to minimise any effect on neighbours. Placing the unit on a noise absorbing base will also help to reduce the problem, but wherever it is placed it will require enough space for a good airflow to be obtained.

It should be remembered that the unit will not run as much in the summer so should be less of a problem when people are most likely to be using their gardens or have their windows open. Although air source heat pumps in England and Scotland can be classed as permitted development, meaning that they do not require planning permission, it is best to check with the planning office in your local area as the criteria for this is complex and may vary from region to region.

dshart

Is the noise level generated higher than the stated noise level of the unit?

You can get apps for a smartphone that will give you an approximate sound reading. Check this against the rated noise level of the unit, if the actual noise exceeds the rated noise then you may have a case.

If actual noise is as rated or less then I guess you could check if there is any way additional sound insulation in the loft would help.

Pegleg

we have the compressor unit outside in the garage which in effect is the heat exchanger this noise isn't an issue for us, it might be for our neighbours! This feeds the fan unit which is sited in the loft, which blows out through a ducted air vents into each room.

We set the system up to turn on about 11 when we are all in bed, it came on and woke everyone up. I think understanding of the noise level may be a little misunderstood, imagine having to put up with noise of being inside an airplane, that continuous white noise. Then imagine living with that noise for 6 months of the year, pretty much non stop.

I have looked at alternatives and discussed with the company they are at a loss as to what to do to reduce the noise also.

I appreciate the ideas of sound proofing, however I just don't think it is going to reduce it greatly, the noise could be generated through the fixing mounts. It is a big fan unit, 1100mm by 400 by 600.

dshart

It would be interesting to know what actual noise level it produces. You would be surprised what level of noise you can get used to. Having lived in countries where air conditioning units were common I know some of them can be quite noisy, but you get used to it.

If the noise is generated through the fixing mounts there should be some way of damping it.

At the end of the day if you cannot reduce the noise and feel you cannot live with it then your only option is to have it removed. But as long as the system is operating as intended and the noise is not higher than stated for the unit then I think you have little comeback against the installer unless they misled you in some way regarding the system.

I wish you luck in finding a solution.

Pegleg

I just measured the nose level on an app as suggested its about 47-52db, that is in my toddlers room.

So back to my initial enquiry, what are my rights on having the system removed and legal standing, we have not paid yet, so money is still in our possession.

vaio

you don't seem to be saying the installers have done anything wrong in which case, as others have mentioned, you have no legal rights to have anything done and will need to rely on the goodwill of the company concerned.

If the unit is sitting on the loft floor then the floor might be acting as a "sounding board" and you might get an improvement by moving it to something solid (chimney breast?) or suspending it from the roof structure or even just some damped feet/mountings

dshart

What does the product specification state regarding noise levels?

The point I am trying to make is that if the system has been installed to manufacturers specifications and the noise levels are within design parameters then I do not think you have a case against the installer.

CynicalScotsman

Heat pump install gone wrong.

It seems that the install has gone right? It works. It produces the expected level of noise?

You have just changed your mind? Right?

You have no rights.

The installers do have a right to get paid and I presume they will probably take you to court to get paid for both the equipment and their time. Depending on the agreement this could affect your credit score.