Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes heat pumps to the next level

This article was originally published in issue 26 of Passive House Plus magazine. Want immediate access to all back issues and exclusive extra content? Click here to subscribe for as little as €10, or click here to receive the next issue free of charge

The Ultra Quiet Ecodan air source heat pumps are available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes with sound levels that are three times quieter than previous models, virtually eliminating UK planning restrictions. No universal statutory noise standards apply in Ireland though local authorities may specify particular noise levels.

Mitsubishi said the new models offer superb, 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 air source heat pumps will be for the future of low carbon heating in the UK and is forecasting one million sales a year by 2030,” says Max Halliwell, product manager for the company’s renewable heating systems.

In the residential environment, sound is important because low sound increases the flexibility of where a heat pump can be positioned. “Our market leading Ecodan heat pumps have always been amongst the quietest on the market and are designed to provide any home with reliable, trouble-free renewable heating and hot water,” adds Halliwell.

“New Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes this to the next level with low sound and high performance which mean homeowners can now choose the most convenient location for their heat pump, giving complete flexibility on placement.”

The 8.5kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan has a sound power level of 58 dB(A) which is an 8 dB(A) drop over the model it replaces. It also has a sound pressure level of 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. We think of this as the intensity or loudness of a sound. An ambulance registers 120 dB(A) whereas a vacuum cleaner registers around 73 dB(A) and typical room conversation comes in at around 60 dB(A).

“With a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A), the new Ecodan is whisper-quiet, with levels just above that of a library,” explains Halliwell.

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 also available with coastal protection for areas where they can be exposed to saline.

Further details on the performance of the units including a short animation on the importance of sound levels can be found at the dedicated website www.ultraquietecodan.co.uk.