As the winter chill sets in, many Australians will look at their heating options but a little-known rule about air conditioners may catch some households off guard.
In Australia, air conditioning systems should not be heard in habitable rooms of neighbouring homes during certain hours.
If a neighbour complains about the noise, authorities can take several courses of action, depending on the state or territory.
This includes dispute resolution between the neighbours, noise assessments, issuing warnings and providing advice.
Further action can be taken in the form of fines and court attendance notices.
Penalties can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars for individuals and corporations, depending on local legislation and the nature of the breach.
Have you been fined for using your air conditioner? Email the reporter at ebennett@nine.com.au with the details.
Households are still able to use air conditioners at night, provided the noise does not disturb their neighbours.
Air conditioning systems can also be used during times where health may be impacted, such as during heatwaves in summer.
What are the regulations across Australia?
New South Wales: In NSW, neighbours should not be able to hear your air conditioner in a habitable room between 10pm and 7am on weekdays, and 10pm and 8am on weekends and public holidays. During the day, noise should not exceed background noise level by more than five decibels.
Victoria: Victoria has noise regulations which cover central heating, a hot water system or a heat pump, air conditioner or split heating system. Neighbours should not be able to hear these before 7am or after 10pm from Monday to Friday, and before 9am or after 10pm on weekends and public holidays. Prohibited times do not apply to noise from an air conditioner used for cooling during a heat health alert.
Queensland: Where a local council has not set its own noise standard, the default noise standards in the Environmental Protection Act apply in that local council area. Air conditioner noise should not exceed five decibels above background level between 7am to 10pm and three decibels above background level between 10pm and 7am.
Northern Territory: Air conditioners should not be heard by neighbours in habitable rooms before 8am or after 10pm on weekends or public holidays or before 7am or after 10pm on any other day. A habitable room means any room other than a garage, storage area, bathroom, laundry, toilet and pantry.
South Australia: The continuous noise of an air conditioner in residential areas must not exceed 52 decibels during the day between 7am to 10pm. During the night between 10pm to 7am, the continuous noise of an air conditioner must not exceed 45 decibels.
Western Australia: The noise from air conditioners in residential areas must comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The noise from your air conditioner must meet the allowable noise levels at all times.
Tasmania: Air conditioners should not be noisier than 45 decibels between 7am and 10pm or 40 decibels between 10pm to 7am.
Australian Capital Territory: Noise should not exceed 45 decibels in residential areas between 7am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday and 8am to 10pm on Sunday and public holidays. During the night, noise should not go above 35 decibels between 10pm and 7am from Monday to Saturday and 10pm to 8am on Sundays and public holidays.
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