H-Series · small units

Quiet heat pumps and air conditioning – at single and multi-family homes

The outdoor unit runs at night, the neighbour sleeps two metres away. Our H-Series enclosures cut the level by up to 25 dB(A) – without the heat pump losing capacity.

Configure the H-Series – with guide price Request a project

Several white H-Series acoustic enclosures in a row in front of a hotel in the snow

up to −25 dB(A)three levels: −10 / −18 / −25 dB(A)

H1–H12standard sizes, also as double enclosure

max. 4 m/sin all grilles – no loss of capacity

R290floorless design for propane units

The problem

Why the outdoor unit becomes a dispute at night

During the day, a heat pump's noise blends into everyday sounds. At night, when the surroundings are quiet and the unit runs at full load in winter, it is clearly audible – often right outside the neighbour's bedroom window.

In Germany the relevant standard is the TA Lärm: the level is assessed 0.5 m in front of the open window of the nearest noise-sensitive room. At night (10 pm – 6 am) the limits are considerably stricter than during the day.

Night limits (Germany): 35 dB(A) in purely residential areas, 40 dB(A) in general residential areas, 45 dB(A) in mixed and village areas.
Location: In front of a wall about 3 dB is added, in a corner or recess about 6 dB.
Distance: Each doubling of distance gains only about 6 dB – hardly usable on small plots.
Tonality: If a distinct tone can be heard, a penalty of 3 or 6 dB applies.
Several units: Two equally loud outdoor units are together 3 dB louder than one.

Worked example

Outdoor unit with a sound power of 60 dB(A), 5 m to the neighbour's window, installed in a building corner: about 44 dB(A) arrives at the window. In a general residential area 40 dB(A) is allowed at night – the unit is 4 dB too loud. With an enclosure at level Basic (−10 dB(A)) the level drops to about 34 dB(A), safely below the limit.

Simplified free-field calculation without tonality penalty. The configurator calculates your exact situation.

The solution

Quiet, without holding the heat pump back

An enclosure that suffocates the unit helps nobody: the heat pump loses capacity, the fan speeds up and gets louder again. That is why the H-Series is an air-flow design first – and a sound insulation second.

Slow air

All grilles have 75 % free area and are designed for a maximum of 4 m/s. No flow noise, and the fan does not need to compensate.

No short-circuit

An HSA3 air separation divides intake and discharge. The cold exhaust air does not return to the evaporator.

Matching air inlet

Intake via the roof at the rear, at the side rear or centrally in the back wall; discharge at the front side, left or right – depending on the location.

HSA3 inside

The acoustic meta-metal lining also damps the low-frequency hum of the compressor. Non-combustible A1, no fibres.

Floorless

The enclosure stands over the unit without touching it. Vibration is not transmitted, and it can be retrofitted at any time.

Fits the house

Panels of powder-coated aluminium in any RAL colour, frame anodised or in panel colour. Service doors for maintenance.

Versions

Three noise reduction levels – standard or custom-made

Twelve standard sizes H1–H12 fit the usual outdoor units of heat pumps and air-conditioning systems up to approx. 1,150 × 1,650 mm, also as a double enclosure for two units 80 cm apart. If no standard size fits, we build to measure.

Basic

−10 dB(A)

Sound-insulating enclosure with HSA3 inner lining. Perceived as roughly half as loud – often enough with some distance to the neighbour.

Extended

−18 dB(A)

Longer sound paths in a slightly wider enclosure. For terraced houses, dense development and units at the property line.

Special

−25 dB(A)

Extended plus additional absorbers in the corners. For loud units, short distances and purely residential areas.

H-Series acoustic enclosure in copper brown with grille and three service doors — **Copper brown** – frame in panel colour, three service doors

Long green H-Series acoustic enclosure with dark frame on a green roof — **Green** – long enclosure on a green roof

Visualisations. All details on the H-Series →

Who it is for

What you get from the configurator

Homeowners

Clarity before you buy

Select the unit, enter the distance to the neighbour and the area type – the configurator picks the most economical level that meets the night limit with a margin and shows the guide price.

Property managers

Documents for the owners' meeting

Rotatable 3D sketch, colour choice and guide price – enough to prepare a decision without first commissioning a report.

Installers

Ready for the tender

Specification text, BIM model (IFC) and dimensions ready to download. For special sizes, the request reaches us with all unit data.

Heat pump with R290 (propane)?

Many new heat pumps use propane. An enclosure is still possible, but only with written approval from the unit manufacturer. Our floorless design already meets the basic requirement: leaked propane flows away freely, and there are no ignition sources inside the enclosure.

Guide price in three minutes

Select the unit, enter distance and area type – level, outer dimensions and price appear instantly.

Configure the H-Series Request custom-made

Frequently asked questions

Does the heat pump lose capacity inside the enclosure?

Not noticeably, as long as the air can flow freely. That is why all H-Series grilles are designed for a maximum of 4 m/s in the free cross-section, and an air separation prevents the cold exhaust air from being drawn in again.

Which noise reduction level do I need?

That depends on the unit's sound power, the distance to the nearest window, the location (free-standing, in front of a wall, in a corner) and the area type. The configurator calculates it and suggests the most economical level that meets the night limit with a margin.

Can the enclosure be placed over an existing heat pump?

Yes. The enclosure has no floor and stands around the unit without touching it. It is placed over the existing outdoor unit; the pipework stays as it is.

Can the unit still be serviced?

Yes. Service doors and removable panels give access to connections and the control panel. For larger work, the enclosure can be dismantled – it is bolted, not welded.

What if my unit does not fit a standard size?

Then we build to measure. The configurator shows this and sends us the unit data, required reduction and installation situation; we come back with a quotation.

Is the enclosure also suitable for AC units and pool heat pumps?

Yes. What matters are the dimensions and the air flow of the outdoor unit, not the type of system. Split AC units, multi-split outdoor units and pool heat pumps usually fit a standard size.

Request a project

Send us the unit type, quantity and location – or get a budget price straight from the configurator.

Open configurator info@forcotech.com

Silent Engineering di Romolo Vicari
ForCoTech · Silent-Mode
Via Trento 22 · 23875 Osnago (LC) · Italy
E-Mail: info@forcotech.com