In the past, conflicts surrounding heat pumps most often arose due to noise, and it was precisely the question of permissible sound levels for neighbors that became a cause of disputes when installing air-to-water models.
Now the Austrian association VÖK, together with Pokorny Technologies, has developed a free noise calculation tool that makes it possible to quickly and transparently assess the acoustic characteristics of heat pumps based on the official GET database, which contains all subsidized heating devices.
The new noise calculator was created specifically for Austrian regulations and takes into account:
- the requirements of the OIB institute
- the recommendations of ÖAL and ÖAL-AG Forum Schall
- the applicable ÖNORM and ISO standards
With its help, installers, designers, authorities, and developers can already at the planning stage:
- clearly demonstrate compliance with noise limits 🔇
- speed up approvals
- increase confidence in the successful implementation of the project
Working with the tool is extremely simple: on a satellite map, it is enough to indicate the equipment location, and the system automatically takes into account:
- site-specific features
- sound attenuation from the ground
- possible cascades of heat pumps
- individual noise protection measures
The results are displayed graphically, and the final report contains all input data and calculations, making it a complete set of documentation for submission to supervisory authorities.
The tool also differentiates daytime, evening, and nighttime operating modes within a single calculation, saving specialists time.
According to VÖK head Elisabeth Berger, the goal of the project is to give all stakeholders the ability to accurately assess compliance, increase planning certainty, and promote good neighborly relations. 🤝