Air source heat pump sound assessment: What you need to know - BAXI ASHP Guide

Installer

Author: Baxi UK

Published On: 01/06/2026

Air source heat pump sound assessment: What you need to know on-site

If you’re installing heat pumps, carrying out a sound assessment is an essential part of planning for the job.

It should occur as part of the site survey when you’re first looking at the property and working out where everything is going to go.

This isn’t just best practice. It follows MCS Standard 020 and ensures compliance. There are simple steps to carry out this calculation which can be found here.

In this blog, you will discover:

How noise behaves on-site
Why sound assessments need to be done early?
What MCS 020 is really asking you to do
How do you carry out a sound assessment in line with MCS 020?
Training, support and getting it right first time

Is an air source heat pump noisy - ASHP Sound Assessment - Baxi

How noise behaves on-site

You’ll see noise measured in decibels (dB). Think about it in terms of the unit makes a certain level of noise; the further away it gets the less noticeable it becomes. So, what you're judging is how that noise is going to behave in a specific location, considering:

How loud the unit itself is, known as sound power
The distance to neighboring properties
What's around the unit it, eg walls, corners, fencing or open spaces
Visibility of the unit for the homeowners’ neighbours

The same unit located in two different places can have different sound perception. One install location might be barely noticeable whereas another might get noise complaints. The difference is almost always down to layout and not the equipment.

Why sound assessments need to be done early

At survey stage, you’ve still got full control. You can:

Choose the best location for the heat pump
Avoid obvious noise concerns
Spot tight or reflective areas before committing to them
Consider neighbouring properties
Consider bedrooms and habitable spaces

This is really important as part of the planning stage, because once you start installing, options such as these can narrow quickly.

What MCS 020 is really asking you to do

MCS 020 Standard is there to make sure:

The installation is compliant with MCS standards
The installation fits within permitted development
The system won’t cause issues for the homeowner or neighbours
Sound levels are considered before installation
The outcome is predictable and not left to chance

A sound assessment proves that sound has been properly considered.

How do you carry out a sound assessment in line with MCS 020?

If you’re working on heat pump installs, sound assessment isn’t something separate from the job, it’s part of doing the survey properly from the start. Following MCS Standard 020, sound assessment starts at the site survey stage, not during the install. This is where you still have full control over positioning, so it’s the best time to get it right.

Here are some practical considerations for approaching a site survey on-site:

Start with the proposed location looking out for any potential noise issues such as any tight side passages or corners, hard surfaces like brick, concrete or paving, positions close to bedrooms or quiet rooms, walls carrying vibrations, enclosures that can trap sound

Identify noise sensitive areas. Under MCS Standard 020, you must always think about where the sound will actually matter. That usually means bedrooms, living spaces, neighbouring properties, windows, doors and vents. These are known as habitable spaces
Measure the distance from the proposed location to sensitive points

Consider barriers and screening while still working in line with MCS Standard 020. Look for anything that naturally helps or worsens sound travel

Use manufacturer sound power to combine it with distances, surrounding and reflection

Check against MCS Standard 020 requirements

Record your assessment. The result will need to be 37 d(B) or less to pass

When considering siting locations, required clearances stated in the manufacturer instructions will also need to be followed. If you follow MCS Standard 020, you’re not guessing how the heat pump will behave, you’re planning for it and ensuring compliance.

Why MCS compliance matters

Keeping installs compliant with MCS standards isn’t just about ticking boxes, it directly affects grant access and permitted development rights. MCS compliant installations are eligible for UK government incentive schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), meaning homeowners can benefit from financial support when they choose a certified installer and live in an eligible property.

Getting the install right first time is essential as part of unlocking those benefits for your customer.

Training, support and getting it right first time

We understand the challenges of understanding sound, and real-world installations. That’s why we offer a range of air source heat pump training. Built around practical on-site knowledge helping you apply standards like MCS 020 that works on the job.

Our MCS Umbrella Scheme gives you backing across your installs, from technical guidance and compliance support through to system design and troubleshooting. As part of this service, we would carry out this assessment as part of the site survey.

To support you delivering compliant installations, we’re also running a cashback promotion. You can earn £500 per installation for qualifying Baxi HP40 Air Source Heat Pumps and Baxi HP60 Air Source Heat Pumps when they are installed, commissioned, and registered on Baxi Works with a valid MCS Installation Certificate by 31st December 2026.*

The aim is simple: we're here to give you the tools, training and support to get it right first time, every time.

*Terms and conditions apply

Heat Pump Training

Our range of courses are designed to help you improve your skills so that you can work confidently and efficiently with air source heat pumps.

Find out more

MCS Umbrella Scheme

No MCS or need extra support? No problem. We’ll handle the design, paperwork and compliance, guiding you every step of the way so that you can deliver efficient, low carbon heating with confidence.

Find out more

Air source heat pump sound assessment: What you need to know on-site

If you’re installing heat pumps, carrying out a sound assessment is an essential part of planning for the job.

In this blog, you will discover:

How noise behaves on-site

Why sound assessments need to be done early?

What MCS 020 is really asking you to do

How do you carry out a sound assessment in line with MCS 020?

Training, support and getting it right first time

How noise behaves on-site

How loud the unit itself is, known as sound power

The distance to neighboring properties

What's around the unit it, eg walls, corners, fencing or open spaces

Visibility of the unit for the homeowners’ neighbours

Why sound assessments need to be done early

Choose the best location for the heat pump

Avoid obvious noise concerns

Spot tight or reflective areas before committing to them

Consider neighbouring properties

Consider bedrooms and habitable spaces

What MCS 020 is really asking you to do

The installation is compliant with MCS standards

The installation fits within permitted development

The system won’t cause issues for the homeowner or neighbours

Sound levels are considered before installation

The outcome is predictable and not left to chance

How do you carry out a sound assessment in line with MCS 020?

Here are some practical considerations for approaching a site survey on-site:

Start with the proposed location looking out for any potential noise issues such as any tight side passages or corners, hard surfaces like brick, concrete or paving, positions close to bedrooms or quiet rooms, walls carrying vibrations, enclosures that can trap sound

Identify noise sensitive areas. Under MCS Standard 020, you must always think about where the sound will actually matter. That usually means bedrooms, living spaces, neighbouring properties, windows, doors and vents. These are known as habitable spaces

Measure the distance from the proposed location to sensitive points

Consider barriers and screening while still working in line with MCS Standard 020. Look for anything that naturally helps or worsens sound travel

Use manufacturer sound power to combine it with distances, surrounding and reflection

Check against MCS Standard 020 requirements

Record your assessment. The result will need to be 37 d(B) or less to pass

Why MCS compliance matters

Training, support and getting it right first time

Heat Pump Training

MCS Umbrella Scheme

Related articles

Products

Services

Help & Advice

Important Information

How do you carry out a sound assessment in line with MCS 020?

Here are some practical considerations for approaching a site survey on-site:

Start with the proposed location looking out for any potential noise issues such as any tight side passages or corners, hard surfaces like brick, concrete or paving, positions close to bedrooms or quiet rooms, walls carrying vibrations, enclosures that can trap sound

Identify noise sensitive areas. Under MCS Standard 020, you must always think about where the sound will actually matter. That usually means bedrooms, living spaces, neighbouring properties, windows, doors and vents. These are known as habitable spaces

Measure the distance from the proposed location to sensitive points

Consider barriers and screening while still working in line with MCS Standard 020. Look for anything that naturally helps or worsens sound travel

Use manufacturer sound power to combine it with distances, surrounding and reflection

Check against MCS Standard 020 requirements

Record your assessment. The result will need to be 37 d(B) or less to pass

Why MCS compliance matters

Training, support and getting it right first time

Heat Pump Training

MCS Umbrella Scheme

Related articles

Products

Services

Help & Advice

Important Information