Air Conditioner Noise

Air conditioners have become very popular and may disturb other people who have their windows open, particularly on hot nights.

Noise Emissions

Noise emissions from air conditioners must comply with the assigned levels set by the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The permitted noise levels (assigned levels) are quite low, particularly at night. If you are planning to buy an air conditioner, don’t assume that if it is described as quiet or complies with Australian Standards that it will comply with the assigned noise levels.

Serious thought must be given to where the air conditioner is to be installed, the size of the area to be cooled or heated, and the size and number of air conditioners required.

Complaints

If a complaint is lodged and an air conditioner does not comply with the assigned levels, the City of Joondalup can take action against the owner of the air conditioner requiring modifications or specifying the times of day that the unit can be used. Alternatively, units may just be in need servicing or remounting.

If however, the breach of the assigned levels is due to an installer not taking due care when installing the system, the City could decide to initiate legal action against the installer.

Regulations

The Fair Air website (see right-hand side)  is designed by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating can help you to ensure the air conditioner you buy meets these stringent noise regulations.

This should save you money, reduce energy usage and help to prevent future noise issues. It provides easy-to-use calculators for air conditioner sizing, energy consumption and noise levels based on the Department of Environmental & Conservation’s brochure "An Installers Guide to Air Conditioner Noise".  You can access this brochure in the Related Information.