What noise level for a swimming pool heat pump?

The heat pump and noise

Are heat pumps noisy? The answer to this question is "yes", swimming pool heat pumps can be noisy.
Noise is less and less bearable, because it is too present in our daily lives. Also, it is important when equipping yourself with a swimming pool heat pump to put all the chances on your side, so that this machine does not become a source of annoyance or even a conflict.

Why is the swimming pool heat pump not completely silent?

Nowadays, the noise from swimming pool heat pumps is limited to a background sound, a hum, a hiss, more or less audible depending on the quality of the machine and the technology used. It is more particularly when starting and stopping the fan and compressor that this equipment produces noise. These two elements are essential for the operation of the heat pump. There is therefore mechanical noise whose sound level tends to decrease thanks to research efforts, but they cannot be completely eliminated.

What acoustic measures exist?

To preserve good relations with your neighbors and/or the calm of your environment, the noise emitted by the heat pump is a criterion which can be decisive in the choice of the machine.

The manufacturer's instructions for use lists the characteristics of the machine and in particular the decibels it produces are noted. Sound power and sound pressure are the two measurement methods used.

Sound power or dB(A) represents the raw sound level of the heat pump, the noise as a whole that it emits when 'it works. Location, measuring distance from the machine and environmental conditions are not taken into account in this measurement. The acoustic power is the signature, the characteristic of the equipment, it is the concept that must be retained as a priority.

The acoustic pressure or Lp(A) results from the vibration of the sound wave , it is the sound, the acoustic power that the human ear perceives but this time depending on the environment, the distance and the way in which the heat pump is installed. The measurement is done with a sound level meter. The value is often less than that of the acoustic power.

The evolution of swimming pool heat pumps

Thanks to technical developments, the noise level of swimming pool heat pumps is becoming more and more efficient, less and less noisy, to the greater satisfaction of owners and neighbors. There are many models that allow you to have much quieter machines.

Starting with the vertical pump. The fan is placed so that the air exits upwards. Thus, the operating noise of the machine does not encounter or impact any obstacle. As a result, the vertical heat pump is less noisy than the horizontal pump.

Inverter technology also makes it possible to minimize the noise of a heat pump. This fairly recent technique optimizes the operation of the machine according to the different phases of start-up, rise and stabilization of the temperature. The closer the pool water temperature gets to the set point, the more the heat pump slows down. The sound volume, particularly when the Inverter heat pump is in the stabilization phase, is much lower than a “classic” heat pump, plus there are fewer restarts and therefore there are fewer noise sources.

Another option to consider is to choose an “Indoor” heat pump which allows installation inside a technical room, in the pool cover… the walls of the buildings acting as insulation.

Most often the instructions give the sound power of swimming pool heat pumps, but nothing obligatory. As for the sound pressure, it can be given at 1, 5 or 10 meters... When the choice must be made between different equipment, and the sound level is a predominant criterion, you must be attentive and compare comparable data!

To find out more about the subject of heat pump noise, find out how to reduce the noise of swimming pool heat pumps and what the regulations say about noise pollution from a swimming pool heat pump.