On hot days it runs for hours, and precisely in the evening — in the garden or with the bedroom window open — the hum stands out: the neighbours' outdoor AC unit. What many people do not know: air conditioners are subject to exactly the same legal noise requirements as heat pumps in the Netherlands. This page explains what an AC may produce, how to check it yourself, and what to do if it does not comply.
The limit: 40 dB at the boundary, for ACs too
The Dutch building decree (Bbl) covers all outdoor installations for heating or cooling. An air conditioner is technically an air-to-air heat pump and falls fully within scope. Units placed or replaced since 1 April 2021 must therefore stay under 40 dB(A) at the plot boundary in the evening and night (19:00–07:00), and 45 dB(A) during the day provided silent mode covers the night. For apartments the assessment is made at neighbours' openable windows and doors instead. The full explanation is on the noise limits page.
Mind the difference between two numbers: the box or spec sheet lists the sound power (LwA, often 58–65 dB for ACs) — that is not what the neighbours hear. The limit concerns the sound pressure at the boundary, which is lower the further away, the more open, or the better screened the unit is.
Check the situation yourself — free
Before starting the conversation or going to the municipality, it is powerful to know whether an exceedance is likely. Use the calculator on this site: draw the neighbours' plot, place the AC unit at its real position and enter the unit's sound power (findable by brand and type). The map instantly shows the calculated level at your boundary. If it is above 40 dB, you have a substantiated case instead of just a complaint.
Steps in case of nuisance
The route is the same as for a heat pump: start with a friendly conversation — many owners do not know their AC causes nuisance, and silent mode, different scheduling or vibration dampers often bring quick wins. If that fails, you can file an enforcement request with the municipality; it can commission a measurement or calculation and enforce measures on exceedance. The full step-by-step guide is on the neighbour nuisance page.
Installing an air conditioner yourself?
It works the other way too: if you have an AC installed, you must meet the same limit — the installer should demonstrate this. Choose a quiet unit, avoid corners and recesses, and calculate the intended spot in advance with the calculator. See the distance table for how much boundary distance each sound power needs.
Frequently asked questions
How much noise may an air conditioner make at the neighbours?
Outdoor units placed since 1 April 2021 must stay under 40 dB(A) at the plot boundary in the evening and night (19:00–07:00) and 45 dB(A) during the day if the unit uses a silent mode then. This is the same requirement as for heat pumps.
My neighbours have an old air conditioner. Does the limit apply?
The 40 dB requirement applies to installations placed or replaced since 1 April 2021. For older installations the municipality can still act on serious nuisance under the duty of care, and civil neighbour law remains available — but the bar is higher.
Does a mobile air conditioner with a hose count?
No. The limit applies to fixed outdoor installations. A mobile indoor unit is not covered; the outdoor unit of a split system is.
Further reading
- Recalculate the situation with the free tool
- Step-by-step guide for neighbour noise nuisance
- How far must a unit be from the boundary?
- Reducing noise: 9 practical tips
This page is general information, not legal advice. Procedures differ per municipality.