The Ultra Quiet Ecodan air source heat pumps are available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes with sound levels that are three times quieter than previous models, virtually eliminating planning restrictions.

Designed specifically for residential applications, these models offer superb, market-leading energy efficiency and sound levels and enable almost any home to benefit from high performance, renewable heating. 

“The Government has already recognised how important air source heat pumps will be for the future of low carbon heating in the UK and is forecasting one million sales a year by 2030,” said Max Halliwell, product manager for the company’s renewable heating systems.

“One of the key areas that will affect adoption of these energy-saving systems is noise, which is why permitted development exists and these new units are designed specifically to overcome any issues with noise.”

In the residential environment, sound is important because low sound increases the flexibility of where a heat pump can be positioned. To ensure neighbours are not disturbed, permitted development requires sound levels to meet certain limitations, with the sound pressure level not exceeding 42 decibels (dB(A)) when measured at a point one metre away from the neighbour’s nearest door or window.

Mr Halliwell added: “Our market leading Ecodan heat pumps have always been amongst the quietest on the market and are designed to provide any home with reliable, trouble-free renewable heating and hot water.” 

“New Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes this to the next level with low sound and high performance, which mean homeowners can now choose the most convenient location for their heat pump, giving complete flexibility on placement and still meeting permitted development requirements.”

The 8.5kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan has a sound power level of only 58 dB(A), which is an 8 dB(A) drop over the model it replaces. It also has a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A) at one metre.

Sound power can be thought of as the cause of a noise or the total sound energy emitted by a source in all directions, whereas sound pressure is the effect, or the sound we hear, and this is determined by the environment and by the distance from the source of sound. We think of this as the intensity or loudness of a sound. An ambulance registers 120 dB(A), whereas a vacuum cleaner registers around 73 dB(A) and typical room conversation comes in at around 60 dB(A). 

“With a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A), the new Ecodan is whisper-quiet, with levels just above that of a library, meaning it will pass the permitted development requirements easily and can be installed almost anywhere to suit the homeowner,” explained Mr Halliwell.

“This is a result of a decade of manufacturing Ecodan in Scotland and we have used this knowledge and experience to refine Ecodan and design it specifically for UK residential use.”

Innovations in fan and compressor design have enabled the units to achieve such low levels of sound, whilst increasing performance and efficiency.  Both models in the range (PUHZ-W85VAA and PUHZ-112VAA) are A++ ErP rated and also available with coastal protection for areas where they can be exposed to saline.

Further details on the performance of the units, including a short animation on the importance of sound levels in achieving permitted development, can be found at: www.ultraquietecodan.co.uk/home.