Air conditioner noise rules in NSW and where to place your outdoor unit

Before settling on a spot for an outdoor air conditioner, look at what sits on the other side of the fence or wall. A short pipe run can be convenient, but the position also needs to work for neighbours, airflow and access for servicing.

When do NSW air conditioner noise restrictions apply?

Under the NSW EPA guidance, if your air conditioner can be heard inside a neighbour’s residential room, the restricted period begins at 11 pm. It ends at 7 am on ordinary weekdays and 8 am on weekends and public holidays. The air conditioner time restrictions have an exception when a Bureau of Meteorology severe or extreme heatwave warning is in force for the local weather district.

See the NSW EPA’s current neighbourhood noise table for the residential room definition and the heatwave exception.

Noise can still be investigated outside these hours if it causes a disturbance that meets the offensive noise test. The operating hours and the rules for installing the unit are separate checks. Ask your council about planning requirements for your property and check strata by-laws if applicable.

Check the NSW Planning guidance for air conditioning units and our Sydney strata approval guide if your building is in a strata scheme.

Read the Sydney strata approval guide.

Walk through the proposed position with your installer

Mark the closest bedroom and living room windows, including neighbours’ windows if visible from your property. In a narrow side passage or on a balcony, ask the installer how nearby walls, a corner or an enclosure could affect noise and airflow. Compare a second position if the first is close to a sleeping area.

Ask for the exact outdoor model and its published acoustic specifications. Ask how it will be mounted, whether vibration could transfer through a wall or balcony, and whether the position leaves the manufacturer’s required clearance for airflow and servicing. A brochure sound figure is a starting point for discussing the location.

What to ask for in a quote

• The proposed outdoor unit position and an alternative if access, noise or approvals make the first position unsuitable.
• The outdoor model number, mounting method and route for pipes and drainage.
• Any site checks, planning or strata approvals that must be resolved before booking.

If a unit is already causing concern, keep a note of when and where it can be heard. An installer can check for equipment or mounting issues. The EPA guidance explains when to contact the local council about neighbourhood noise.

Planning a new or replacement unit in Sydney? See our split system installation service or ask AirXperts to assess the proposed position.