One of the essential components of a comfortable home is an air source heat pump (ASHP). An ASHP can be an important tool for taking all latent warm air outside and turning it into proper heating for residential and commercial properties. These pumps are good alternatives for those that are environmentally conscious. However, one of the main questions that frequently gets asked is how noisy are air source heat pumps?
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Government Research – Noise Levels of Air Source Heat Pumps
Every government is a proponent of air source heat pumps due to their critical role in minimizing CO2 emissions. In 2011, the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change ended up publishing research that showed how noisy they were. The government ended up including nine different sites in the study, and it showed that consumers shouldn’t be concerned with the noise stemming from the heat pumps. The government found that the sound levels recorded aligned with the existing guidelines and the manufacturer’s estimates were relatively accurate with real-world performance.
The primary purpose of the research was to understand how loud the pumps were within 1 meter of distance. The study allowed researchers to conduct tonal noise analysis and provide feedback to manufacturers so they could integrate any necessary changes. While the data gathered from this study is helpful, it doesn’t necessarily impact residential or commercial property owners. It is essential to assess the noise levels for the pumps in terms of day-to-day performance to understand the complete picture.
Here are some comparisons to other household appliances to get a good idea of how noisy they can be:
1. The average decibel rating of a hairdryer is around 80.
2. The average washing machine in a house measures 70 decibels.
3. The average vacuum cleaner typically measures 70 decibels.
4. The average dishwasher measures anywhere from 70 to 80 decibels.
Conclusion – How Noisy Are Air Source Heat Pumps?
Your air source heat pump will generate anywhere from 40 to 60 decibels, depending on what type of system you have installed. You will find that the decibel rating is similar to what you would get from a bird call or even background music at an office.
A lot of people have misconceptions about how noisy these pumps are. While they are significant in size, they don’t generate a lot of noise. Air source pumps can be much louder than others on the market if not installed correctly. Installation quality does impact sound performance. However, if installed by a certified and experienced technician, you won’t hear the air pump on a day-to-day basis.