Noise from Aircon? Do we need Planning Permission?

rtho782

We're planning on installing an Air Source Heat Pump next week. This will mean we don't need to use the gas central heating downstairs, the efficiency of the ASHP will save us cash, and we can use it as Aircon in the summer.

The outdoor unit is rated at 48dBA.

A friend has suggested this is not a permitted development due to being close to our boundary, and that the noise will keep the neighbours awake.

Personally I think 48dBA is pretty damn quiet and we're highly unlikely to have any issues.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Am I being unreasonable?

Bubblecat

Depends on the background noise levels (which can only be ascertained by measuring them) and whether the unit will have distinctive characteristics (hum, intermittent operation etc). What distance is the 48 dB(A) measured at? How close are your neighbours?

Ozzuk

http://www.airwayac.co.uk/news/planning-permission-for-air-conditioning/

a quick google found the above. You could always talk to your neighbours/council first if you want to be sure.

AdrianC

How far from your boundary is it?

teddysmum

I don't have any concept of the noise level involved, but even permanent low level noise, in a residential area could upset people.


There was a case, a few months ago, where a celebrity was in trouble over an aircon unit which neighbours considerd to noisy and too near a boundary.

teddysmum

This sample from Youtube depends on your computer volume, but this constantly would annoy me . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUHOzBbjA8c

Davesnave

The planning Portal has all the relevant info:

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/27/heat_pumps/2

ASHPS are not the only heating systems that make noise. I recently installed an oil boiler, which sounds pretty loud to me, and it points directly at our neighbour, 2m from the boundary. Building Control are perfectly happy with that.

rtho782

So it seems that as long as I keep the external unit at least 1m from the boundary, the neighbour can shove it even if it turns out they don't like it.

I'm not keen on "having a chat" with them beforehand, as that seems silly. "Oh I'm doing this thing that you might not like, do you think you will mind?" seems a recipe for them to say they don't like it just in case, and, even if they don't like it, I still intend to do it if I'm legally allowed.

I'm not going to change my plans if it turns out they expect silence!!

Spec sheet for the system here, listing sound levels:

http://www.aircon-online.co.uk/image/data/FTXS50K%20RXS50L.jpg

googler

If you're installing this in Scotland, it's suggested here that you can't place it within 100metres of any neighbour's boundary (2.16). Not sure if that's current or not.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48204/3307-acoustic-noise-air-source-heat-pumps-1.pdf

Is this thing going to be operational overnight?

lincroft1710

googler wrote: »

If you're installing this in Scotland, it's suggested here that you can't place it within 100metres of any neighbour's boundary (2.16). Not sure if that's current or not.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48204/3307-acoustic-noise-air-source-heat-pumps-1.pdf

Is this thing going to be operational overnight?

Which would mean that only people living on remote crofts in Scotland could have heat pumps. I also read it as a minimum 100 metres distance.

Bubblecat

rtho782 wrote: »

So it seems that as long as I keep the external unit at least 1m from the boundary, the neighbour can shove it even if it turns out they don't like it.

I'm not keen on "having a chat" with them beforehand, as that seems silly. "Oh I'm doing this thing that you might not like, do you think you will mind?" seems a recipe for them to say they don't like it just in case, and, even if they don't like it, I still intend to do it if I'm legally allowed.

I'm not going to change my plans if it turns out they expect silence!!

Spec sheet for the system here, listing sound levels:

http://www.aircon-online.co.uk/image/data/FTXS50K%20RXS50L.jpg

Issue could be if your neighbour complained about the noise to environmental health. If assessed as a statutory nuisance then you may have to cease using it or mitigate the noise as I'm pretty sure that statutory nuisance under the EPA trumps permitted development rights.