Heat pumps are becoming a favoured option for people who want to change their current boiler to an efficient alternative. They take heat from the air or ground and transfer it to heat using less electricity in the process.
Some people have concerns that heat pumps won’t operate in the winter and how much noise they produce. This could cause disruptions to neighbours or a general distraction to everyday life in your home.
This article will discuss the noise a heat pump makes and if they are an ideal alternative to traditional boilers.
Heat Pump Noise
Heat pumps are legally limited on the noise they can generate in the UK, set at 42 decibels. This is the same as an everyday refrigerator which only ever emits a quiet hum, which you likely never even notice.
They are even quieter than people talking and somebody hoovering, but it can depend on the model of the heat pump. Ground source heat pumps will be significantly quieter than an air source pump because they lack a fan component which reduces the noise.
During the colder months, heat pumps will generally need to exert themselves due to a lower volume of heat in the air meaning that they could produce a slightly louder noise.
Can You Hear Heat Pumps Inside?
Heat pumps operate quietly and are generally not audible from inside a property. However, if you have your windows open and the pump is nearby, you may notice a low sound.
This means that chances are also low that your neighbours will hear any noise from your system. Once again, since the sound is almost a white noise that requires a certain level of attention to hear, no one should have any trouble with it being too loud.
Is Heat Pump Technology Improving Noise?
If a heat pump is displaying a high level of noise, the system is likely an older model and somewhere between 10 to 15 years old. The first generation of heat pumps were generally noisy when operating but further development of heat pump technology and renewable energy methods have led them to become very quiet.
Can You Make Heat Pumps Quieter?
If an unusual amount of noise is coming from a heat pump, it is best to always rule out any underlying problems first and this should preferably be done by an engineer. If there are no problems, dampeners can be installed under your heat pump feet, reducing vibrations and in turn lowering the noise volume output.
In Summary
Heat pumps, be it ground or air source, do not emit a noise loud enough to cause any problems. And these key factors should be considered if you are unsure about the noise they will create;
- 42 decibels is the legal noise limit for a heat pump in the UK. This is the same volume as the refrigerator in your kitchen.
- Quieter than a conversation or vacuum cleaner in operation.
- Slightly louder in the winter due to working harder but still unnoticeable.
- Won’t be heard from inside the property.
- Heat pumps are improving constantly, meaning they are getting quieter too.
- Installing dampeners to feet or bolts that hold the fan in place reduces the vibrations of an operating heat pump.
If a heat pump is right for you, use our quick eligibility checker to discover if you qualify for the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The scheme aims to upgrade inefficient boilers that people may still have in their homes. You could receive £7,500 towards a heat pump system for your property!