This summer the central heating in the building I live in was changed and they decided to install a ground source heat pump .
The problem is that I live on the ground floor and the pump and compressor have been installed right under my bedroom causing an unbearable noise that lasts for hours and doesn't respect the night. I'm forced to sleep with noise-canceling headphones to reduce the hum that wakes me up. The noise is quiet and sounds like the neighbor's vacuum cleaner, but it's really unbearable because it's constant, like a drilling machine.
I've explained the problem to almost everyone in the building, even the people who organized it with the heat pump company, and they say that they don't hear any noise and that I need to get used to it or move to another address.
It looks like the solution is going to take months to fix (if they try to at least), and when the winter comes, it's probably going to get louder and without pauses, like the instaler told me.
We have a ground sourced heat pump and it is practically silent. The pump, which circulated the heated water isn’t silent but, with the door closed, cannot be heard in other rooms.
I find it unlikely that ANYONE would want to live with such noise disturbing their sleep. I think you have every right to complain about it. Maybe the thing wasn't even installed correctly or fitted with things that might decrease the noise (I don't know -- maybe like an anti-vibration mat or something?). Or maybe there is some kind of housing for it that could decrease the noise?
You might want to consider getting some custom-made silicon earplugs, which are excellent for blocking out noise, and I imagine they're more comfortable to wear than headphones while sleeping. I had mine made at a hearing aid store. Cost about 100 CHF total.
Good luck... I hope you can get the situation remedied soon. Sleep is precious.
I don't know what kind of system you have but this is loud as hell, especially if you are in the Cellar area. It's like being in a factory. I've been discussing the problem with the installers and the main noise source is the pump that is installed in the pipe (+-20cm diameter), and this system is exactly under my bedroom/living room. It's a very disturbing motoric noise, constant with slow oscillations that stays for hours when it's cold.
I have android so I cannot install the app you say, but I tried other ones for android and the db measurement oscillates between 30 - 40dB but I don't know how precise this smartphone with an app is.
I've bought a device to take acurate recordings, a tascam (handrecorder with high precission condenser mics) and I will put them on youtube to share this *ing nightmare, that everybody in the building ignore because I am the only one living right over the source head pump room.
Rent. Oh God that I didn't decide to buy this piece of expensive sh*.
It's very disturbing in the night because the sound is middle-low frequency, so earplugs cannot block it properly and the only thing that work is noise-cancelling headphones.
I *think* that when a landlord does something here in CH that negatively impacts a tenant's living conditions, that tenant is entitled to a decrease in rent. But perhaps someone here has more input on that...
Also, there is an organization that is called something like the Mieterverband, which apparently people can join and then get help with issues regarding tenants' rights.
Again, I really hope you can get this sorted out very soon. They are being absolutely irrational to expect you or anyone to deal with that noise. I wonder how they'd enjoy having to hear a recording of it 24/7 while they're trying to sleep.
That is easier said than done. Given your situation with your patio which you have posted about, why didn't you decide to move?? Maybe for the same reasons.
Tenants have rights with respect to noise. In this situation you complain loudly, in writing. You insist on a solution. Your own measurements will likely need to be backed up by an expert.
In our previous home I heard the heat pump in the room above where it was installed. The manufacturer installed extra insulation but the problem was only alittle better.
The real fix would have been better insulation in the ceiling of the room where the pump was.
I have a job close to this flat and changing to another flat would mean paying 200-300CHF more pro month. This is what the Verwaltung firm wants ultimately, to solve the problem then and rent it for a higher rent.
This is what they did with the flat upstairs. The girl was pushed out and the new rent was then 300CHF higher. I talked to her and she didn't want to fight and left her job and Kanton because of it.
Oh come on... leaving a job and kanton because you felt pushed out of an apartment? Finding a new apartment SUCKS but it is achievable.
The situation you are in is intolerable and would be my nightmare, sleep is not just precious it is fundemantal for physical and mental health. However, any solution is going to be a hard fight because it will involve time and cost for the Verwaltung either replacing or reinstalling the installed solution or insulating the noise somehow.
The question is how much are you willing to lose in sleep and sanity trying to get results here? If I were you I would:
1. Get professional advice on the situation and contact the Mietverband.
2. Start looking for a new apartment immediately WHILE trying to get this problem fixed.
If you just sit on your ass fighting the agency without simultaneously exploring other apartment options then you are wasting time and you will miss opportunities to get another place that fits you. Always expect the worst when it comes to these things and you will never be disappointed or caught off guard because if the agency wants to they can just terminate your contract and give you whatever notice is in your contract.
40 db is about the noise level of a quiet library. WHO guidelines for sleeping is less than 40db. So maybe inaccurate or you are just very sensitive to noise.