ᐅ Noise from Outdoor Units of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery – Are There Regulations Regarding Noise Levels at Specific Times?
Created on: 15 Sep 2016 14:54
I
Illo77- Hello everyone, Is there any regulation regarding the times when a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery is allowed to operate and when not, or on which settings it may run?
We are currently having quite a bit of trouble with one of our neighbors, who becomes very upset as soon as the system runs on level 3 or level 4. According to the manufacturer, level 1 should only be used when the house is unoccupied (for example, during vacations), levels 2 to 3 are for normal operation (we usually use level 2), and level 4 is for situations like guests, drying laundry, cooking, showering, bathing, and so on.
In the summer, we run the system on level 3 in the late afternoon or early evening (depending on the day) to bring the relatively cooler outside air from the east side (where the intake is located) into the upstairs rooms (children’s rooms). Otherwise, it gets very hot in there, and since the children go to bed early, the windows can’t be opened — partly because of the risk of the child climbing out the window, but also because it becomes too bright in the room, not to mention the evening sun shining on the laminate floor, which then radiates heat back into the room overnight. This regularly leads to angry complaints from the neighbor. I work at a care facility for people with disabilities and have already been asked by my neighbor whether I work there or am a client myself, and that my poor child unfortunately can’t choose his parents, etc.
Anyway, the installer was already here and said everything is okay (it could have been a problem with the system).
Now the question, which no one has been able to answer for me so far: Is there a general regulation specifically for systems like this (similar to rules for operating a lawn mower, for example, only until 8 p.m.) that limits noise or operational levels at certain times? Or does only the general noise protection ordinance apply, or whatever its official name is? Maybe someone knows more about this. I only know someone working at the environmental authority who said this is an increasing issue right now (also regarding air source heat pumps).
The house was built in 2013, the system is a Vallox 090sc, the device is installed in the attic on the inside of the east gable wall, with the air intake and exhaust vents located on the exterior of the gable wall, combined in one unit (a wide slot for one and a large downward-facing opening for the other; I’m not sure which is intake and which is exhaust).
And yes, I know it’s not an air conditioner, but the benefit in summer is definitely the cooler outside air, and according to the manufacturer, level 3 is still “normal” operation; we have only used level 4 during winter when we had guests. However, I’m not sure how big the difference between level 3 and 4 actually is.
Oh, and the location is Schleswig-Holstein.
Best regards
The system is designed for continuous operation. As long as the silencers and soundproofing with rubber inserts have been installed, there is initially nothing to criticize.
What is regulated, however, is the noise level. The maximum dB allowed during nighttime quiet hours—I’m not sure—you’ll have to look that up online.
What you can still do, if stage two is quiet enough and stage three is a bit too loud, is adjust the airflow rates for each setting, usually done by a professional. Perhaps you can reduce the flow of stage three in 10 cubic meter (cbm) increments until both parties are satisfied?
What is regulated, however, is the noise level. The maximum dB allowed during nighttime quiet hours—I’m not sure—you’ll have to look that up online.
What you can still do, if stage two is quiet enough and stage three is a bit too loud, is adjust the airflow rates for each setting, usually done by a professional. Perhaps you can reduce the flow of stage three in 10 cubic meter (cbm) increments until both parties are satisfied?
B
Bieber081515 Sep 2016 21:21Illo77 schrieb:
Is there actually a regulation about what times a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery is allowed to operate and when not, or at which settings it can run? No, but permissible noise levels are regulated. This applies not to the sound level at your exhaust vent, but to the noise level at your neighbor’s property. Details can be found online pretty easily if you replace “mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery” with “air-to-water heat pump.” The principle is the same.
(If you had bought a motorcycle instead, but you wanted the mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery—your own fault :P *SCNR*).
B
Bauexperte15 Sep 2016 22:48AOLNCM schrieb:
The system ....You just don’t want to do it differently, do you…I have now—feeling like countless times—deleted your imaginary profession and let the software prompt you to enter your real occupation. Do you think I have nothing better to do?
Please enter your profession properly or take it elsewhere!
Regards, Bauexperte
Somehow, this seemed familiar to me.
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/kwl-zu-laut-für-den-Nachbarn-nebenan.16196/
It probably would have been easier if you hadn’t just posted back then but also answered the questions.
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/kwl-zu-laut-für-den-Nachbarn-nebenan.16196/
It probably would have been easier if you hadn’t just posted back then but also answered the questions.
Illo77 schrieb:
Is there generally a regulation specifically for such systems (similar to lawn mower operation until 8 p.m.) that limits noise levels at certain times, or does only the general noise protection regulation or whatever it’s called apply? Due to the lack of specific regulations, such systems are often subjected to the Technical Instructions on Noise Control (TA Lärm), even though this does not primarily address noise from residential or commercial equipment like these systems.
As correctly explained, the TA Lärm sets guideline values for the maximum noise level that may be received by the affected neighbor in total. The key factor is therefore not mainly how loud the system is at the source, but how much noise overall (including any other possibly existing controlled residential ventilation or air-to-water heat pump systems) reaches the neighbor.
For general residential areas, these guideline values are 55 dB(A) during the day (06:00–22:00) and 40 dB(A) at night (22:00–06:00). Within these periods, there are especially protected quiet times (20:00–22:00 and 05:00–06:00).
If complaints arise from neighbors, the responsible permitting or emission control authority—assuming it operates professionally—will require that the noise impact at the neighbor from the specific individual system be at least 3, preferably 6 dB(A), below these guideline values. Only then can exceeding these limits be ruled out in accordance with TA Lärm, taking into account all other relevant residential and commercial noise sources.
Depending on the specific local conditions, installation situation, etc., the operation of a controlled residential ventilation system may already reach the reduced guideline limits, especially during the nighttime period, particularly when considering the frequently occurring tonal characteristics.
Similar topics