Television is the defining sound of the British home in 2023

Published: 15-11-2023

We have recently conducted some research and have identified the top 20 sounds which make up the soundscape of a household in the UK, whilst debunking myths around ‘noisy’ heat pump technology.

Television was identified as the most common sound associated (37%) with the British home
Aeroplanes are the nosiest sound at 102dBA, with birds chirping as low as 35dBA
The British public agree that rain is the most liked sound (60%), while snoring is the most annoying (59%)
The Quiet Mark awarded Worcester Bosch Compress 5800i AW heat pump is an unintrusive solution to home heating at just 40.5dBA at night and 51.2dBA during the day

A study of 2,000 Brits by YouGov has categorised the most common sounds typically heard around the UK home. This list represents a mix of sounds found within various aspects of daily life, including nature, pets, family interactions, technological devices, household chores, transport, and the sounds of neighbours.

Top 20 Most Referenced Sounds of The Home by UK Adults

Television – 37%

Birds chirping – 28%

Children playing/talking – 26%

Cars/vehicles – 22%

Dogs barking – 20%

Radio – 17%

Traffic – 16%

Washing machine – 16%

Music – 15%

Fridge – 11%

People talking/working – 10%

Neighbours – 9%

Cats meowing – 9%

Household appliances/lawn mowers not inc. kettle – 8%

Water running/shower/ flushing – 8%

Aeroplanes – 6%

Gadgets/ phone/ PlayStation, smart speakers) – 6%

Animals not inc. dogs or cats – 5%

Kettle – 5%

Door shutting – 5%

The study also delved into the sounds most comforting to the British public, such as the natural sounds of rain (liked by 60%) and thunderstorms (liked by 41%). Less natural but still calming was the background noise of television, which was the preferred choice of 46% of Brits.

Sounds that become a source of displeasure are snoring at 59%, babies crying at 41%, and washing machines at 28%, ranking as the most annoying sounds within the British home.

The Common Sounds of The Home by Volume (dBA) [2]

Aeroplanes 92 – 102

Traffic 60 – 90

Children playing sports 75 – 85

Toilets flushing 73 – 85

Lawn mowers 83

Television 70 – 75

Food mixers 62 – 78

Vacuum cleaners 77

Telephones 65 – 75

Washing machines 75

Shavers 75

Dishwashers 71

Dogs barking 60 – 70

Hair driers 71

Showers 70

Kettles 70

People talking/working 60 – 70

Taps Running 66

Printers 58 – 65

Hot-air tumble-driers 63

Microwaves 55 – 60

Extractor fans 59

Birds chirping 35 – 55

Fridges 54

Radios 45 – 50

When comparing sounds of the home by volume, heat pumps rank towards the lower end of the list, despite a recent OnePoll survey of 2,000 Brits showing that over 60% express concerns about the potential disruption associated with the sustainable heating technology. [3]

The Quiet Mark awarded 5800i AW heat pump registers as low as 40.5 dBA during the night, rising to 51.2dBA during the day which is quieter than a fridge (54dBA) and closer to the sounds of birds chirping (35dBA – 55dBA).

The eco-friendly and energy-efficient 5800i AW heat pump is suitable for UK households with a particular focus on new build and renovation projects alike, making it the perfect choice for those wanting to explore more sustainable options without compromising on peace and quiet.

Victoria Billings, our Director of Marketing said: “It’s a common misconception that outdoor heat pump units can be noisy and nobody wants their peace disrupted at home whilst they are relaxing in their garden. Our Compress 5800i AW is our quietest heat pump yet, representing a new generation of heat pumps and an exciting development in our range of greener home heating technology.”

To learn more about heat pumps and the latest 5800i AW visit https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/5800i-heat-pump.

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