In order to minimize the noise level of heat pumps and, above all, not to disturb neighbors, various measures should be taken into account.
Berlin/Frankfurt – Even if the ban on oil and gas heating is off the table with the new coalition decision, the federal government's plan is in place.
From 2024, the installation of heating systems that are powered by 65 percent “if possible” from renewable sources is to be promoted.
In Germany, more and more homeowners will therefore convert their heating system to heat pumps in the future.
But especially in densely built-up settlements, heat pumps can cause trouble for the neighbors due to the noise they generate.
Experts therefore advise paying attention to certain things in advance that minimize noise emissions.
fr.de
from IPPEN.MEDIA spoke to Thomas Zwingmann from the consumer advice center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Heat pump too loud?
These tips will help you get the volume under control
As a general rule, heat pumps installed exclusively outdoors are usually noisier than those installed indoors or in a split system (with separate outdoor and indoor units).
"The systems of ground and groundwater heat pumps are in the boiler room, and the noise emissions are negligible," explains Thomas Zwingmann from the consumer advice center NRW exclusively
to
fr.de.
+
May now also fall below the minimum distance to the neighboring property: air heat pumps
© Robert Poorten/imago
It is therefore smart to pay attention to possible noise emissions when selecting the heat pump heating system.
However, most homeowners still choose to install air source heat pumps, which are usually installed outdoors, due to the lower costs associated with some additional costs anyway - although there are some alternatives to oil and gas heating.
Heat pumps can be very noisy - when selecting the device, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer's information
But not only the heat pump types, but also the device quality determines their volume, which is why it is worth comparing technical values.
"The manufacturers of heat pumps indicate the volume in decibels in their product information, so you can use this as a guide when making your selection," explains Thomas Zwingmann from the consumer advice center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The noise emissions at the sound source, i.e. directly next to the air heat pump, are usually between 35 and 65 decibels (dB).
Basically, the rule of thumb is that 10 dB more is perceived as a doubling of the volume.
The sound pressure level decreases with increasing distance from the device.
“But sound is perceived very differently.
So my advice, when shortlisted, is to ask the installer if they have a similar set up that you can listen to on the fly.”
Distance to neighbors and walls: The optimal installation location for heat pumps ensures peace in the house
Not only the sufficient distance to neighbors plays a role.
“Sound is amplified by reflection.
It is therefore extremely important when setting up
the pump to ensure that there is sufficient distance to hard reflective surfaces such as walls and walls," advises Zwingmann to
fr.de.
Under no circumstances should the device be placed in a corner of the house or in a bedroom window.
It is also necessary to comply with the distance regulations to the neighboring property.
"But they differ from state to state," says the consumer advocate.
"Ideally, the affected households each have a heat pump that can then be set up back to back."
Prescribed distance for heat pumps in the federal states
Federal State | Distance to neighboring property |
Baden-Wuerttemberg | No minimum distance, volume limit: 35 - 45 dB at night |
Bavaria | No uniform rule |
Berlin | At least 3 meters |
Brandenburg | Unclear, but if it is less than 2 meters high, there is no minimum distance |
Bremen | No minimum distance |
Hamburg | At least 2.50 meters if the heat pump is classified as similar to a building |
Hesse | No minimum distance, heat pump may be max. 2 meters high and 3 meters long |
Lower Saxony | Unclear, 3 meters is recommended |
North Rhine-Westphalia | 0.5 meters |
Rhineland-Palatinate | No minimum distance |
Saarland | No minimum distance, heat pump must not be higher than 2 meters |
Saxony | Unclear, 3 meters is recommended |
Saxony-Anhalt | Unclear, 3 meters is recommended |
Schleswig Holstein | At least 3 meters if the heat pump is classified as similar to a building |
Thuringia | At least 3 meters if the heat pump is classified as similar to a building |
Sufficient damping and soundproofing reduce noise emissions
Despite the common prejudices against heat pumps: Many modern devices work very quietly and even have a "whisper mode" with a sound power level of less than 30 dB.
This means that they are whisper quiet in the truest sense of the word.
For comparison: 30 dB corresponds to the ticking of a wristwatch, 40 dB to the volume of refrigerators.
"Nevertheless, it makes sense to also avoid noise development on certain control levers - for example with vibration dampers, i.e. rubber feet that decouple structure-borne noise from the foundation," advises Thomas Zwingmann.
“Even noise protection hoods absorb many decibels.
However, it should be ensured that the inlet and outlet openings of the pump remain free.
Otherwise the efficiency of the device will be reduced”.
What volume of a heat pump is permissible?
Residence | Limit day (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)\t | Limit night (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) |
spa area | 45dB(A) | 35dB(A) |
Pure residential area | 50dB(A) | 35dB(A) |
General residential area | 55dB(A) | 40dB(A) |
mixed area | 60dB(A) | 45dB(A) |
urban area | 63dB(A) | 45dB(A) |
industrial Estate | 65dB(A) | 50dB(A) |
industrial area | 70dB(A) | 70dB(A) |
Requirements of the Technical Instructions for Protection against Noise (TA Noise)
Insulate possible noise from the heat pump: "Green" noise protection walls absorb noise
“It is best to set up the heat pump in such a way that the noise can escape unhindered to the outside.
It is important that it does not reflect on walls and is thereby amplified.
Evergreen hedges with dense foliage between the noise source and the neighbors also help to reduce noise emissions.
Hedges have similar soundproofing properties as noise barriers.
However, it is also important with this noise protection measure that the air can flow in and out unhindered,” explains Zwingmann.
A psychological invisibility cloak for the heat pump
The green privacy screen also fulfills an important psychological function.
Thomas Zwingmann from the consumer advice center NRW explains: "It may sound absurd, but it makes sense to set up a heat pump in such a way that it is protected from neighbors' eyes, for example behind hedges or bushes, especially when there is skepticism in the neighborhood," says the expert.
"What you can't see is less likely to be perceived as a disturbance".
If you are thinking about installing a heat pump, you should also know other expert tips for switching to the heat pump, in addition to reducing possible noise emissions.
Last but not least, the heating load of the building also plays an important role in this decision.
List of rubrics: © Robert Poorten/imago
