The Town receives between 15-20 complaints each year regarding noisy air conditioners, with most complaints resulting in the owner of the air conditioner being required to relocate the unit, or use the unit only between set timeframes (e.g. between 7.00am and 7.00pm).
Air Conditioners which are installed close to your neighbour's property, often without prior consultation or consideration, result in noise complaints and costly relocation or modifications. The best location for installation is generally at the rear of your house as opposed to down the side of your house.
Below are a few points to consider so that you can stay cool and avoid upsetting your neighbours with your air conditioning unit's noise:
- Noise requirements are set under statewide legislation known as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, which can be viewed at www.slp.wa.gov.au.
- Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 states that "A person who installs on or in any premises any equipment which, when operated, emits unreasonable noise and which he knows or, if he had exercised reasonable care, would have known so to emit when so installed and operated, commits an offence".
- Existing air conditioners are not exempt from the noise requirements. For example, if you have a roof-mounted air conditioner and your neighbour adds a second storey to their home, your existing air conditioner may become a valid basis for a complaint, and may need to be removed or relocated accordingly.
- The sound pressure level (measured in decibels) of most air conditioners available on the market, do not comply with the sound pressure levels stipulated in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. Therefore, it is important that the device is installed in the correct location so as to ensure an adequate amount of sound/noise is kept from reaching neighbouring properties.
Don’t be a fool, stay cool!
• Make sure you purchase the correct type of air conditioner for your style of home and advise the installer that you want the device placed in a position where it will not impact on neighbouring properties, either now or in the future.
• Consider incorporating cooling methods to your existing and/or future home so that reliance on the air conditioner unit is minimised. This can include roof insulation, window tinting, keeping curtains and doors closed during warm days, installing whirly birds to the roof and constructing high ceilings. This will save energy, the environment and keep your power bills down too!
• Talk to your neighbour about your concerns if their existing air conditioner causes you noise problems, or if you are proposing to install an air conditioner.
If you are considering installing a new air conditioner system, it is recommended you obtain and consider the Department of Environment document, An Installer’s Guide to Air Conditioner Noise.