New-build estate all with ASHPs, one close to our house - what do we need to ask re noise?

lohr500

I wouldn't be too worried. Once the new occupiers start seeing how much it is costing them to run the ASHP, they will soon switch it off. Particularly if the developer has skimped on insulation and the correct size of radiators to support the best flow temperature for an ASHP. 

Eldi_Dos

I think the OP is right to be concerned about noise from any equipment near their house. It is not just the volume (db) that should be taken into account but the frequency (hz) that will have a impact.

I can well imagine a Ashp would be more noticeable on a still very cold night

Myself I could not live near a sub station or transformer as the low drone is something I pick up on.

pinkteapot

lohr500 said:

I wouldn't be too worried. Once the new occupiers start seeing how much it is costing them to run the ASHP, they will soon switch it off. Particularly if the developer has skimped on insulation and the correct size of radiators to support the best flow temperature for an ASHP. 

Nice idea but I don't think there's another heat source? 

Village has no mains gas, and they aren't installing oil or LPG tanks on this development...

BISHOPS

New developments are likely to have lower powered (cheaper) heat pumps rather than overpowered ones upsold to individual homeowners by salesmen looking to make a few quid. That will reduce the noise level - however if they are cheap & poorly installed they might still be noisy.

You might want to run the MCS020 calculation if you know where the closest is to be located and work it out based on standard model type with distance to your "assessment point" (1m our from your nearest habitable window), however the chances are these on new builds will have planning permission with the pumps bundled in as part of that which I would think overrules MCS020.

Interesting to note that the Institute of Acoustics advises against wall mounting HPs, recognising noise implications, but (see their professional advice note) MCS020 doesn't.

We have one next door and its bloody awful but that's because the neighbours really aren't very bright and got sold on a low quality big'n. It just about meets MCS020 where it is so us neighbours are a bit stumped unless we complain through environmental health & from what I understand its quite hotch potch. Some EH teams should pick the complaint up regardless of MCS020 based on impact and common noise expections but some are rather wet in their approach.

They apparently get noisier over time. Given my experience and thinking about your circumstances (detached, that it will be brand new pumps etc) I doubt you will have much of an issue.

All the best.

Reed_Richards

The alternative to a heat pump is an oil or LPG boiler.  Either of these will have flues which tend to make a roaring noise when in operation.  This flue noise could easily be louder than the noise made by a heat pump but is not subject to any planning constraints.

Mstty

Do you have double glazing?

If so even in the depths of winter if it's running full pelt you won't hear it inside but in those.sitiations.if you are outside in your garden in the depths of winter you will be able.to pick it out depending on the background noise levels.of.where you live.

matt_drummer

BISHOPS said:

New developments are likely to have lower powered (cheaper) heat pumps rather than overpowered ones upsold to individual homeowners by salesmen looking to make a few quid. That will reduce the noise level - however if they are cheap & poorly installed they might still be noisy.

You might want to run the MCS020 calculation if you know where the closest is to be located and work it out based on standard model type with distance to your "assessment point" (1m our from your nearest habitable window), however the chances are these on new builds will have planning permission with the pumps bundled in as part of that which I would think overrules MCS020.

Interesting to note that the Institute of Acoustics advises against wall mounting HPs, recognising noise implications, but (see their professional advice note) MCS020 doesn't.

We have one next door and its bloody awful but that's because the neighbours really aren't very bright and got sold on a low quality big'n. It just about meets MCS020 where it is so us neighbours are a bit stumped unless we complain through environmental health & from what I understand its quite hotch potch. Some EH teams should pick the complaint up regardless of MCS020 based on impact and common noise expections but some are rather wet in their approach.

They apparently get noisier over time. Given my experience and thinking about your circumstances (detached, that it will be brand new pumps etc) I doubt you will have much of an issue.

All the best.

I had to apply for planning permission for my ASHP as it failed the MCS noise test by 1dB, the smallest margin possible.

Environmental Protection at Ipswich Borough Council objected as it failed the MCS noise test, so basically in Ipswich, if it is over the MCS noise limit you can't have it. 

My installer, Octopus, tell me that other local authorities are approving installations up to 7dB over the MCS limit.

Our neighbours didn't object and were actually in favour of it but that didn't matter.

The interesting point is that the Environmental Protection Officer wasn't actually happy with the MCS noise limit, he thought it was too high. He thinks the more stringent IOA/CIEH limits are what should be aimed for.

So, I suspect, given the right officer, even an MCS compliant installation could be complained about and considered to be a nuisance.

The planning officer here was quite joyful when he was telling me how they recently got an ASHP removed from a property in Ipswich.