Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
Specifically, the proposal would operate at 7.5 dB(A) above the prescribed MCS (Permitted Development) level of 42dbA.
That is a very, very low bar indeed when it comes to rated noise for ASHPs. Not sure how many ASHPs there are out there that are actually rated by manufacturers to operate at 42dB. Our pump runs at about 65dB and I can't imagine it annoying our neighbours. As @witchcraft says, it's not running full tilt all the time.
And then noise is so subjective. In our latest interview with @grahamh (Graham Hendra) he says that he has two heat pumps with the same dB ratings, yet one sounds louder than the other:
In our case, our heat pump is much quieter than the electric pump that feeds air into our home sewage treatment plant, yet that would be approved and not be a planning issue.
I will ask around for some advice.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
@kev-m The ASHP failed the MCS calcs by 7db - see the Planning Officers points, therefore the EHO says no chance - and nothing so far- my own app Sound meter of the current oil boiler exhaust and the ASHPs in the street already (Global Energy) fail to sway the discussion
Just to check I am not getting confuddled (totally possible at this time on a Friday!) but when you are saying MCS, we are still talking about MCS who certify ASHPs and installers right?
Reason I ask is that on the MCS site a whole list of Vaillant Arotherm pumps are listed as MCS certified, so not sure how they can be both certified AND fail their calcs? Again without knowing exactly which model I am guessing, but the closest I can find to 15KW is the aroTHERM VWL 155/2 A 230V, which is showing as having current MCS certification.
@dchilton Hi i tried to attache the PDF file of the calculations/form that the installer filled in - but no luck - the ASHP falls outside of the Permitted Development - please see note from Planning Officer in the thread, thanks
Pretty sure planning have found the wrong ASHP - There are plenty certified on the MCS website. I'd advise you find the specific model and download its compliance certificate. They may have found the wrong one
https://mcscertified.com/product-directory/
It literally says on their website they are MCS certified
- The aroTHERM is Certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), a national quality assurance scheme that recognises high standards in renewable energy technologies.
- As an MCS certified product the aroTHERM, you could benefit from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments.
https://www.vaillant.co.uk/homeowners/products/the-arotherm-air-to-water-heat-pump-1408.html
Just had a reply from an installer this query and they asked: “020 says 42db at neighbour’s nearest point, not sound output of heat pump at point of operation. Has the 020 been done and done right?”
@mbcool, how far will be your heat pump be located from your neighbour?
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
Here’s a cheeky suggestion from another experienced installer: “Put a wooden cover over it, then you can't see it. It's no quieter but according to mis020 it is. So no planning required.”
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
@editor 7m from neighbours bedroom window - but not directed at it. the bedroom window faces in a parallel direction and is set back - If I could download the PDF MCS calcucaltion it would be clearer. The file is too large for the forum
Posted by: @mbcool@editor 7m from neighbours bedroom window - but not directed at it. the bedroom window faces in a parallel direction and is set back - If I could download the PDF MCS calcucaltion it would be clearer. The file is too large for the forum
Maybe upload a snapshot of it? (snipping tool or similar?)
- 26 Forums
- 2,590 Topics
- 60.3 K Posts
- 268 Online
- 6,922 Members
Join Us!
Worth Watching
Latest Posts
-
RE: Octopus Cosy Heat Pump Owners & Discussion Thread
Hush mode now released. I've not tried it yet. Should b...
By swwils , 57 minutes ago
-
RE: Air-to-air heat pumps - best models and installers
Are you creating a whole new category for A2A?
By ASHP-BOBBA , 1 hour ago
-
RE: A2A vs A2W: Which Heat Pump Would You Pick?
There isn’t as far as I know, @djh, but you’re welcome ...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Can anyone explain the following behaviour with a Grant Aerona 3 R30 / Smart Controller?
Final Update. Yesterday, I was going through the moti...
By Unsure , 15 hours ago
-
RE: How much can an east/west solar solar system be oversized?
Best performance occurs with PV string near inverter no...
By bobflux , 15 hours ago
-
RE: Forum updates, announcements & issues
Thank you Mars for all your dedication to improvements;...
By Toodles , 18 hours ago
-
RE: Who do I complain to about a poor ECO4 installation, can anyone advise?
Take it one step at a time. If you can get the dhw and...
By JamesPa , 1 day ago
-
RE: Selling 2 x Kensa Shoebox 7kw GSHP (New)
Hi Jain, we’ve got an ashp so I’m afraid we won’t be yo...
By Judith , 1 day ago
-
No buffer or low loss header Grant controller in sens...
By JamesPa , 1 day ago
-
RE: Are We Sleepwalking Into Another Race to the Bottom?
That's an amazing job to get all that in there! A truly...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Anyone concerned about GivEnergy?
Thanks for your advice - I'll keep trying with the inst...
By JohnDwyer , 2 days ago
-
RE: Plug and play solar. Thoughts?
I am also yet to find a case where an installation that...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: British Gas vs Octopus Energy vs Heat Geek vs EDF vs Aira vs OVO vs EON.Next vs Boxt
This is what I got from OVO. At least it was quick.. ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: IVT greenline HT Plus E - Circulation Pump Constantly On
Welcome to the forums. Irrespective of which brand yo...
By Mars , 2 days ago
-
RE: 7.5kW Heat Loss, But Quoted a 10kW Midea. No Re-Pipe, No Buffer Tank. Does This Add Up?
Oh, how I love these old scientists!I'm in with your 5 ...
By LeJamaisContent , 2 days ago
-
RE: Jokes and fun posts about heat pumps and renewables
@jamespa Someone who is not easily phased I suppose.
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
@downfield Once OE had removed our gas meter and capped...
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
Living with a Low Loss Header (Or Measure For Measure, it’s All About the Pump)
I know, low loss headers (LLHs) aren’t necessarily ‘low...
By Toodles , 3 days ago
-
RE: What is the main ‘dictator’ of Agile’s unit price?
After seeing umpteen negative price slots again today, ...
By ChandyKris , 3 days ago
-
RE: The Reality Behind a Failed Heat Pump Installation – and an IWA Insurance Rejection
@ian-w Getting back to the problem in hand, what do yo...
By JamesPa , 3 days ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
@papahuhu Generally, I leave Homely to take care of mat...
By Toodles , 4 days ago
-
@judith, glad you found the story interesting. On eff...
By Mars , 4 days ago




