Noise and a heat pump: what exactly is the situation?

Many people are not (yet) aware of the noise a heat pump, and its outdoor unit, can make and that there are regulations attached to this. We tell you all about the noise of a heat pump, which regulations you need to comply with and give you tips on how to comply with the noise requirements. Read on and prevent noise pollution for you and your neighbours!

How does a heat pump create noise?

First of all, it is good to know exactly where heat pump noise comes from. The noise arises because (hybrid) heat pumps often have an outdoor unit. Inside this outdoor unit is a fan that rotates and this fan creates noise. When a heat pump is running at full speed, this can result in noise pollution. This occurs when:

It gets colder outside, such as in autumn and winter. Often, the most noise is produced when it is +/- 4°C. Once it is below +/- 4°C degrees, the boiler takes over heating and the hybrid heat pump switches off, eliminating the noise. If you have an all-electric heat pump, the tipping point is around the freezing point (+/- 0°C).
You turn the thermostat up a few degrees because you want your home warmer.

What are the noise requirements for a heat pump?

From 1 April 2021, heat pumps with an outdoor unit will be subject to a new requirement for maximum noise during nighttime hours. Heat pumps installed from that date onwards will be allowed to produce a maximum noise of 40 decibels in the evening and at night between 7pm and 7am. This is calculated at the property boundary with neighbours or at an open window on the same plot. During the day, the noise may be slightly higher. This may then be a maximum of 45 decibels.

How many decibels of noise does a heat pump with outdoor unit make?

Good to know is that, on average, a heat pump with an outdoor unit makes around 40 to 50 decibels of noise. This is comparable to the sound of a car driving by. So this means that you should not place your heat pump close to the property boundary!

So what is the sound of the Aurora II of Adlar Castra?

The noise of the Aurora II is between 22 and 50 decibels. Of course, this does depend on various factors such as how loud it is running, how far it is from the property boundary or living spaces and how it is set. Our goal is to install a whisper-quiet heat pump in your home so that, using our patented technology, the decibel is only 22 decibels at 5 metres away!

Any questions? Contact us via the question form!

What can I do if my heat pump does not meet noise requirements?

Is your heat pump already installed and unfortunately you do not meet the noise requirements? No problem! Fortunately, there are solutions for this, namely:

Move the heat pump further away from the property boundary. Noise pollution decreases rapidly when the distance is increased.
Place a soundproof enclosure around your outdoor unit when you cannot move the heat pump. This way, you can still meet the noise requirements.

Tips for meeting noise requirements

Are you planning to install a (hybrid) heat pump and want to avoid having to move it because of noise regulations? Here are some tips!

Choose the right heat pump

First of all: get good advice from an installer when choosing a heat pump. This is because the perfect heat pump for you depends on several factors.
Pay attention to the sound power rating on the energy label so you know what the power rating is.
Choose a heat pump with that has a function for a night mode. That way, you can set it to automatically make less noise at night.
Insulate your home as best you can so that the warm temperature stays indoors for as long as possible. Because (as described above) a heat pump is going to produce more noise if the temperature is turned up a few degrees.

Choose the right place

Place the outdoor unit as far away from your house and your neighbours’ houses as possible to reduce noise pollution. Note that you will need longer ducts to do this and this can again negatively affect efficiency.
Avoid sound reflection by not placing the outdoor unit in niches with walls on three sides.
Do not place the outdoor unit too close to your home’s bedrooms.
Do you have a garden with lots of plants or forestation? Perfect! The more greenery, the less reflection of sound.
Do not install the heat pump’s outdoor unit against the walls of living areas where people live a lot. This may actually cause you to hear it.
Would you prefer it on the roof? That’s also possible, just keep in mind good vibration damping and avoid blowing out to the facade.

Aurora customer experiences Adlår Castra

Want to know what customers think of the Aurora II by Adlår Castra? Below are some satisfied reviews about our heat pump and its installation.