Mitsubishi Electric has launched some of the quietest air source heat pumps (ASHPs) ever available in the UK to offer complete flexibility on where units can be installed while meeting Permitted Development.
The Ultra Quiet Ecodan ASHPs 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 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 ASHPs 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 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 aren’t 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.
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.
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 available with coastal protection for areas where they can be exposed to saline.