The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

48 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
changes in rainfall, flooding and storm incidence. High summer
temperatures are likely to become more frequent, particularly at night in
central London. People are likely to want to have windows open more
often, and may spend more time out of doors. If passive alternatives are
not successfully promoted, more people could want to use mechanical
cooling, with its potential for noise.
Box 17: Relationships between energy use and noise
■ The amounts of energy used in generating sound are minute in relation
to the primary purposes of most equipment - typically one millionth of
the energy used in a machine 30 . There is no meaningful correlation
between energy use and noise generation, still less impact on people.
■ Noise reduction measures can have energy costs. Encapsulating a
diesel engine can add to the weight of a vehicle. Better sound
insulation of buildings can mean more energy used to produce glass
and other materials, and additional building mass. Sealing pubs, clubs
and other buildings to contain internally generated noise can increase
energy consumption for ventilation and cooling if conventional
systems are used.
■ However, if more people walk, cycle or use modern, well-designed and
maintained public transport systems, both energy use and noise levels
will be lower than if roads become more congested and driving more
aggressive. District heating and cooling networks, photovoltaics,
passive solar gain and passive ventilation systems, and borehole
cooling can both avoid or reduce noise generation, and reduce energy
use and greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel cells should both save energy
and reduce noise.
■ Increases in local heat and power generation will require good plant
design and management to minimise ambient noise in their locality.
Scope for wind energy in London is limited. Modern wind turbines can
be very much quieter than early wind farms in tranquil areas. A noise
assessment will be expected as part of Environmental Impact
Assessment for wind energy schemes in London.
■ To maximise passive solar gain, housing should face roughly south, and
not be overshadowed. This may place constraints on the location and
orientation of buildings and barriers to screen noise.
■ Much of London’s building stock is poorly insulated, in terms both of
energy and sound. Draught proofing and loft insulation would in
general terms reduce exposure to external noise. However, many
technical requirements for improving the sound insulation of buildings
differ from those for saving energy. Nevertheless, action can and
should be integrated.