Air Source Heat Pump - Planning permission required!

TheElectricCow

I think it’s worth noting that in recent times we’re seeing more buyers out there with a preference for non-gas heating systems, and those potential buyers are probably much less likely to take any issue with the location of the heat pump wherever that may be.

When I was first looking at buying my place I was even told that standard all electric setups were growing in popularity (although this was a little bit before the energy prices started increasing dramatically, so might not be the case right at this moment). No idea if this was an accurate statement or just a part of the “sales pitch”, but I could certainly believe it as I had very little interest in a gas supplied property, and if I ever came to own one the first thing I’d do would be looking to install a heat pump.

It’s very possible it could be an off-putting factor for some and that’s a very valid concern, but equally by having the heat pump it could serve as a point of attraction to other buyers especially as they grow in popularity. In theory those two groups would hopefully at least balance each other out.

In any case I’ve been enjoying following along with this thread so far and am looking forward to reading about the final results once the install is complete!

matelodave

Excellent - keep us posted.

All info on heatpumps and their installation adds knowledge and helps others.

matt_drummer

matelodave said:

Excellent - keep us posted.

All info on heatpumps and their installation adds knowledge and helps others.

Which was the main reason for me posting this.

Ultimately, it was my problem to resolve, advice and opinions are helpful but only I know where I live and my particular installation difficulties.

It seems best to try and keep calm and try to find a solution, easier said than done sometimes, it has been a bit stressful.

shinytop

matt_drummer said:

matelodave said:

Excellent - keep us posted.

All info on heatpumps and their installation adds knowledge and helps others.

Which was the main reason for me posting this.

Ultimately, it was my problem to resolve, advice and opinions are helpful but only I know where I live and my particular installation difficulties.

It seems best to try and keep calm and try to find a solution, easier said than done sometimes, it has been a bit stressful.

Seconded from me.  I admire your persistence and patience; others would have given up.  I think you can now count yourself an expert on noise and ASHPs!

Fortunately I had no such problems; although we're in a conservation area our ASHP is MCS compliant.  I would not have been allowed to have it on the front of the house. 

Please keep us updated.  And/or start a thread on renewableheatinghub.co.uk about your install. There are lots of knowledgeable folk there who would be interested, especially since it's an Octopus install.

matt_drummer

shinytop said:

matt_drummer said:

matelodave said:

Excellent - keep us posted.

All info on heatpumps and their installation adds knowledge and helps others.

Which was the main reason for me posting this.

Ultimately, it was my problem to resolve, advice and opinions are helpful but only I know where I live and my particular installation difficulties.

It seems best to try and keep calm and try to find a solution, easier said than done sometimes, it has been a bit stressful.

Seconded from me.  I admire your persistence and patience; others would have given up.  I think you can now count yourself an expert on noise and ASHPs!

Fortunately I had no such problems; although we're in a conservation area our ASHP is MCS compliant.  I would not have been allowed to have it on the front of the house. 

Please keep us updated.  And/or start a thread on renewableheatinghub.co.uk about your install. There are lots of knowledgeable folk there who would be interested, especially since it's an Octopus install.

Thank you.

I think I know all that one person could ever want to know about ASHP and noise limits!

One interesting thing to come out of this was that whilst MCS compliance will allow installation under permitted development, Ipswich Borough Council still think this is too loud. They are actually looking for compliance with the more stringent CIEH/IOA limits.

That would mean that although you may be fine in Ipswich with your installation under permitted development, you may still have a problem if a neighbour complains, they might insist on enforcement if they considered it a nuisance.

Luckily mine now has a great big thumbs up from the council.

We'll see as more of these things get installed here, noise seems to be the biggest concern for the local council.

I probably will document it and how it works out running it for nothing (or hoping to anyway) from my solar panels and battery storage.

I guess lots of people will be interested in the Octopus part.

matt_drummer

I heard from Octopus today, they are happy to install at the front of the house.

I have a plan to disguise the installation as much as possible, I think it will be barely noticeable when looking at the front of the house from the road.

We are just waiting for DNO approval and then an installation date.

70sbudgie

I have found it very interesting reading about the noise issues for planning. I think we do need an ammendment to the planning rules to take into account the particular circumstances of ASHPs. Not necessarily a relaxation of the noise requirements, but something that facilitates the installation of non ff heating systems by making the process less arduous and more appropriate and providing better consistency across planning departments.

I also think noise pollution is going to be more of a challenge, as the move towards more EVs reduces the ambient noise levels from traffic, people will start to notice other noises more. I have noticed that in my EV, I can hear higher frequencies in the radio music than I ever have been able to in an ICE car. (In that context it is a good thing, but in other contexts it may become an issue)

Reed_Richards

You could perhaps discourage the use of fossil fuels by applying the same noise constraints to gas and oil boilers that apply to ASHPs.

ispookie666

@70sbudgie Good point about noise and EV.  The only negative in my eyes for EV; I cannot hear them when cycling and they accelerate way faster than ICE after red signals which cyclist priority.  

I fully agree on the need to amend PP.  

Mstty

Rurally probably 1 in 40 cars are EV at a quick glance round the local village but by no means relative.

The newer EVs appear to emit an electric car sound as was expected in movies in the 80's and 90's so there must have been some change for them not to be silent.

As for noise dB levels I do like the idea of testing gas/oil and other boiler noise dB levels if a limit is to be put on by various councils on heatpumps. That seems a fair policy for all.