ᐅ Do zoning regulations force homeowners away from heat pumps?

I apparently misunderstood, but was able to clarify it today: According to the building permit/planning permission (BP), a silencer is already considered a fully enclosed space. It is also assumed that for common devices with 45-50 dB, the silencer provides sufficient noise reduction. Therefore, an outdoor air-to-water heat pump is still permitted.

thatniks schrieb:

I apparently misunderstood, but I was able to clarify today: According to the building permit/planning permission (BP), a silencer is already considered an enclosed space on all sides. It is also assumed that for common devices with 45-50dB, the silencer provides sufficient noise reduction. Therefore, an outdoor air-to-water heat pump is still permitted.

Thank you for the feedback.
Have you already made a final decision regarding whether the unit will be installed outdoors or indoors?
If the initial installation cost is the top priority, an outdoor monoblock unit is certainly the most cost-effective option. Careful planning regarding weather protection helps safeguard the investment. Monoblock systems with weather protection are generally expected to have a shorter service life than split systems, which in turn have a shorter service life than fully indoor units. Overall, when considering the expected longer lifespan, fully indoor units are likely to be more economical in the long run, even when factoring in higher financing and construction costs as well as the use of additional enclosed space. However, I would not generalize this but instead always evaluate it based on the specific project.

We have a Stiebel Eltron unit installed inside the building without a basement. If the door to the utility room is open, you can only hear it in complete silence. From outside, there is no noise at all.

wiltshire schrieb:

Thanks for the feedback.
Have you already made a final decision about whether it will be installed outside or inside?
If the installation cost is the top priority, an outdoor monoblock unit is definitely the most affordable option. Careful planning related to weather protection helps safeguard your investment. Monoblock units, even with weather protection, generally have a shorter lifespan than split systems, which themselves usually have a shorter lifespan than fully indoor units. When looking at overall costs, fully indoor units tend to be more cost-effective over time due to their longer expected service life, even when considering higher installation expenses and the use of more interior space. However, I wouldn’t make a general rule out of this—it really depends on the specific project.

For me, it’s like that now—simply no indoor space due to budget constraints.
Do you have any ideas on how I can minimize weather exposure for the outdoor monoblock? The location is fairly exposed on the property (roof installation is also possible).

Best regards

thatniks schrieb:

For me, yes, now it’s just that we simply don’t have space inside due to lack of funds.
Do you have any ideas on how I can minimize weather exposure for the monoblock outside? Location is quite exposed on the property (also possible on the roof).

Choosing the option with the lowest construction costs is an understandable approach. I would protect the unit from weather and UV exposure (for example, with a roof overhang on the north or east side). On the side with the monoblock, I would aim to minimize dirt buildup and, if necessary, reduce the wind channel with a protective barrier, without obstructing free airflow. Less UV exposure, less dirt, and avoiding snow drifts or driving rain will already be helpful. Additionally, I would ensure well-insulated, short piping runs and install the unit detached from the house on its own foundation with vibration isolation. These considerations are closely linked to the positioning of the house on the property and the landscaping if you want to find a good solution.

tomtom79 schrieb:

We have a Buderus unit installed indoors, with air intake through approximately 80x80cm (31x31 inches) styrofoam light wells. You can’t hear anything from the heat pump outside, but obviously there is more noise indoors. I wouldn’t operate one without a basement. In our case, it is decoupled from the screed and placed on a pedestal.

Same here, we have the Buderus system decoupled inside the house on a pedestal. We have a small flat-roof extension where everything is housed. Therefore, I don’t notice any noise.