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Acoustics

How much noise may a heat pump make for the neighbours?

Short answer

In the Netherlands the limit is 40 dB at the property boundary. In Flanders a code of good practice is usually applied: 45 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night.

Heat pump at the property line: Top view of unit, property line and measuring point; NL 40 dB, Flanders day 45 / night 40 dB(A).
Heat pump at the property line — Top view of unit, property line and measuring point; NL 40 dB, Flanders day 45 / night 40 dB(A). (The text inside the figure is in Dutch.)

Explanation

Outdoor units make noise through their fan and compressor, usually between 40 and 65 dB according to the European Commission. How much reaches the neighbours depends on distance, walls and corners. A unit in a corner between walls reflects more.

Rules of thumb

  • Netherlands: at most 40 dB at the property boundary for an outdoor installation for heating or cooling (Bbl art. 4.107 para. 2). [SW-S14]
  • Flanders: most domestic heat pumps are not classified; code of good practice 45 dB(A) from 7 to 22 h and 40 dB(A) from 22 to 7 h, measured at the property boundary at the height of windows and terraces. [SW-S15]
  • Compare the sound power on the product sheet before you buy. [SW-S16]

Pitfalls

  • The 40–65 dB in a brochure is often sound power at the source, not the level at the neighbours. [SW-S16]

By region

Netherlands
Checks and enforcement: municipality or environmental agency. [SW-S14]
Flanders
No specific Flemish noise conditions for most domestic heat pumps; in case of nuisance, neighbour law applies. [SW-S15]
Wallonia
For classified installations in residential areas the limits are 50 dB(A) by day (7–19 h), 45 dB(A) in the transition hours and 40 dB(A) at night (22–6 h). Whether a domestic heat pump is classified is not stated in this source; ask the municipality. [SW-S76]
Brussels
The official Brussels sources (Brussels Environment) could not be reached at the last source check; not yet covered. (practical tip, not a source value)

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

warmtepomp buitenunit geluid buren perceelgrens

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

Not legal advice. Rules differ by country and region; consult the competent authority.

Sources

  1. SW-S14 Geluid van bouwwerkinstallaties: regels bij nieuwbouw — Informatiepunt Leefomgeving (IPLO, Rijksoverheid) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  2. SW-S15 Omgevingsaspecten bij warmtepompen en airco-installaties (presentatie) — Departement Omgeving Vlaanderen (N. Maes), via ODE (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  3. SW-S16 5 things you should know about heat pumps — Europese Commissie, DG Energie (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  4. SW-S76 Valeurs limites (bruit des établissements classés) — Service public de Wallonie — L'Environnement en Wallonie (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.