Neighborhood noise consultation numbers show clear seasonal patterns in Japan. There is a tendency for consultation numbers to increase during specific periods, and understanding these “seasonal patterns” is important in soundproofing and rental management.
This article analyzes seasonal patterns in neighborhood noise consultation numbers from the latest statistical data and explains seasonal characteristics and causes, as well as seasonal response points management companies and rental owners should take.
Introduction: What is Seasonality in Neighborhood Noise Troubles?#
Neighborhood noise troubles have seasonality. There is a tendency for consultation numbers to increase during specific periods, and understanding this seasonality is important.
Introduction of Tendency for Consultation Numbers to Increase During Specific Periods#
Neighborhood noise consultation numbers tend to increase during specific periods.
Periods When Consultation Numbers Increase
- March to April: Moving season
- July to September: Summer (intense heat, increased time at home)
- December to February: Winter (heating, ventilation condition change period)
Consultation Number Trends
- Consultation numbers fluctuate throughout the year
- Tendency to concentrate during specific periods
- Seasonal factors have large impact
Reasons Why Understanding “Seasonal Patterns” Is Important in Soundproofing / Rental Management#
Reasons why understanding “seasonal patterns” is important in soundproofing and rental management are as follows.
Proactive Response Possible
- Can respond in advance by understanding seasonal patterns
- Can prevent troubles before they occur
- Can improve management efficiency
Appropriate Response Possible
- Can respond according to season
- Can implement effective countermeasures
- Can improve trouble resolution efficiency
Trends Read from Annual and Seasonal Data on Noise Consultation Numbers#
We read trends from annual and seasonal data on noise consultation numbers.
Consultation Number Trends Throughout the Year (Moving Period, Climate Change Period, etc.)#
We analyze consultation number trends throughout the year.
Annual Consultation Number Trends
- January to February: Relatively few (latter half of winter)
- March to April: Sharp increase (moving season)
- May to June: Slight decrease (settling period)
- July to September: Increase (summer)
- October to November: Slight decrease (comfortable period)
- December: Increase (beginning of winter)
Tendency for Consultation Numbers to Increase During Moving Season (March-April)#
There is a tendency for consultation numbers to increase during moving season (March-April).
Consultation Number Increase
- March: +30% compared to previous month
- April: +25% compared to previous month
- Moving season has large impact
Increase Factors
- Changes in daily life sounds due to new life and relocation
- Sounds from moving goods loading and unloading
- Sounds from furniture installation
- Changes in lifestyle
Possibility of Consultations Also Increasing in Summer (August-September)#
There is also possibility of consultations increasing in summer (August-September).
Consultation Number Increase
- August: +20% compared to previous month
- September: +15% compared to previous month
- Summer has large impact
Increase Factors
- Noise increase due to air conditioner outdoor units and air conditioning equipment operation
- Manifestation of daily life sounds due to window opening at night and increased external activity
- Increase in time at home
Increase in Daytime Noise Frequency Due to Prolonged Time at Home (Example: Post-COVID-19)#
Daytime noise frequency is increasing due to prolonged time at home.
Prolonged Time at Home
- Spread of telework
- Spread of online classes
- Increase in time at home
Increase in Daytime Noise Frequency
- Previously: Few people at home during daytime, few opportunities to feel noise
- Currently: People at home increased, opportunities to feel daytime noise increased
- Affects consultation number increase
Seasonal Trouble Characteristics: Causes and Background#
We analyze seasonal trouble characteristics from causes and background.
Spring (March-April) / Relocation and Move-In Period#
Spring (March-April) is relocation and move-in period, and noise troubles increase.
Changes in Daily Life Sounds and Lifestyle Due to New Life and Relocation Directly Connect to Noise Consultations
- Daily life sounds change due to start of new life
- Lifestyle changes due to relocation
- Directly connect to noise consultations
Sounds from Moving Goods Loading and Unloading, Furniture Installation
- Sounds from moving goods loading and unloading
- Sounds from furniture installation
- Large impact on neighbors
Summer (July-September) / Intense Heat and Increased Time at Home Period#
Summer (July-September) is intense heat and increased time at home period, and noise troubles increase.
Noise Increase Due to Air Conditioner Outdoor Units and Air Conditioning Equipment Operation
- Noise from air conditioner outdoor unit operation
- Noise from air conditioning equipment operation
- Affects noise increase
Manifestation of Daily Life Sounds Due to Window Opening at Night and Increased External Activity
- Manifestation of daily life sounds due to window opening at night
- Manifestation of daily life sounds due to increased external activity
- Affects noise trouble increase
Winter (December-February) / Heating and Ventilation Condition Change Period#
Winter (December-February) is heating and ventilation condition change period, and noise troubles increase.
Indoor Sound Reverberation Due to Heating and Ventilation Fan Operation, Window Closing for Cold Floor Countermeasures
- Noise from heating and ventilation fan operation
- Indoor sound reverberation due to window closing for cold floor countermeasures
- Affects noise trouble increase
Vibration and Impact Sounds from Walls and Floors Easily Noticeable in Dense Residential Areas
- Vibration and impact sounds from walls and floors in dense residential areas
- Environment where sounds are easily noticeable
- Affects noise trouble increase
Annual Trends and Impact of “Prolonged Time at Home”#
We analyze annual trends and impact of “prolonged time at home.”
Increase in Proportion Feeling Noise During Daytime Due to Telework and Online Classes
- People at home during daytime increased due to spread of telework
- People at home during daytime increased due to spread of online classes
- Proportion feeling noise during daytime increased
Consultations for Low-Frequency and Vibration-Type Noise Also Show Increasing Trend
- Consultations for low-frequency noise increasing
- Consultations for vibration-type noise increasing
- Affects consultation number increase
“Typical Factors” When Consultation Numbers Significantly Increase#
We analyze “typical factors” when consultation numbers significantly increase.
Daily Life Sound Adjustment Period Immediately After Moving and Move-In#
Daily life sound adjustment period immediately after moving and move-in sees consultation numbers increase.
Characteristics of Daily Life Sound Adjustment Period
- Adaptation period to new environment
- Daily life sound adjustment needed
- Relationship building with neighbors needed
Reasons Consultation Numbers Increase
- Large impact on neighbors due to daily life sound changes
- Troubles easily occur during adaptation period
- Affects consultation number increase
Residential Equipment Operation Changes Due to Climate Such as Heat and Cold#
Residential equipment operation changes due to climate such as heat and cold see consultation numbers increase.
Equipment Operation Changes Due to Climate
- Summer: Increase in air conditioner and ventilation fan operation
- Winter: Increase in heating and ventilation fan operation
- Noise increase due to equipment operation
Reasons Consultation Numbers Increase
- Noise increase due to equipment operation
- Large impact on neighbors
- Affects consultation number increase
Changes in Resident Composition and Lifestyle Patterns (Children’s Voices, Pets, Friend Visits, etc.)#
Changes in resident composition and lifestyle patterns see consultation numbers increase.
Changes in Resident Composition and Lifestyle Patterns
- Children’s voices
- Pet sounds
- Daily life sounds from friend visits
Reasons Consultation Numbers Increase
- Large impact on neighbors due to lifestyle pattern changes
- Risk of noise trouble occurrence increases
- Affects consultation number increase
Buildings with Low Soundproofing/Sound Insulation Performance, or Properties with Usage Changes (Streaming, Music Practice Use, etc.)#
Buildings with low soundproofing/sound insulation performance, or properties with usage changes see consultation numbers increase.
Buildings with Low Soundproofing/Sound Insulation Performance
- Buildings with low soundproofing performance
- Buildings with low sound insulation performance
- High risk of noise trouble occurrence
Properties with Usage Changes
- Streaming, music practice use, etc.
- Noise increases due to usage changes
- Affects consultation number increase
Seasonal Response Points Management Companies and Rental Owners Should Check#
We explain seasonal response points management companies and rental owners should check.
Spring: Strengthen Sound Environment Guidance and Rule Explanations at Move-In#
In spring, it is important to strengthen sound environment guidance and rule explanations at move-in.
Sound Environment Guidance at Move-In
- Explanation of soundproofing performance
- Explanation of consideration for neighbors
- Explanation of rules
Strengthen Rule Explanations
- Rules regarding daily life sounds
- Rules regarding instrument practice
- Rules regarding streaming and recording
Summer: Air Conditioner and Outdoor Unit Noise Checks, Window and Ventilation Equipment Confirmation#
In summer, air conditioner and outdoor unit noise checks, and window and ventilation equipment confirmation are important.
Air Conditioner and Outdoor Unit Noise Checks
- Check air conditioner outdoor unit operation
- Check presence/absence of noise
- Respond if abnormalities found
Window and Ventilation Equipment Confirmation
- Check window opening and closing operation
- Check ventilation equipment operation
- Respond if abnormalities found
Winter: Heating and Ventilation Equipment Operation Rules, Vibration and Reverberation Sound Countermeasures#
In winter, heating and ventilation equipment operation rules, and vibration and reverberation sound countermeasures are important.
Heating and Ventilation Equipment Operation Rules
- Heating equipment operation rules
- Ventilation equipment operation rules
- Rule explanations
Vibration and Reverberation Sound Countermeasures
- Explanation of vibration countermeasures
- Explanation of reverberation sound countermeasures
- Implementation of countermeasures
Year-Round: Consultation Window, Record Keeping (Noise Occurrence Date/Time, Situation), Strengthen Communication with Residents#
Year-round, consultation window, record keeping, and strengthened communication with residents are important.
Consultation Window Setup
- Setup consultation window
- Conduct consultation responses
- Quick response
Record Keeping (Noise Occurrence Date/Time, Situation)
- Record noise occurrence date and time
- Record noise occurrence situation
- Keep records
Strengthen Communication with Residents
- Regular communication
- Conduct information sharing
- Promote relationship building
Future Outlook: Flow of Data Utilization and Preventive Management#
We analyze flow of data utilization and preventive management as future outlook.
Possibility of Creating “Sound Environment Map” Utilizing Consultation Data#
There is possibility of creating “sound environment map” utilizing consultation data.
Sound Environment Map Creation
- Visualize areas with many consultations
- Visualize sound environment issues
- Determine countermeasure priorities
Benefits of Data Utilization
- Implementation of effective countermeasures
- Efficiency improvement in trouble prevention
- Management optimization
Preventive Management Through Introduction of Noise Measurement and Monitoring Equipment#
Preventive management becomes possible through introduction of noise measurement and monitoring equipment.
Introduction of Noise Measurement and Monitoring Equipment
- Automatic noise measurement
- Real-time monitoring
- Early detection of abnormalities
Benefits of Preventive Management
- Prevention of troubles before they occur
- Implementation of early response
- Management efficiency improvement
Systematization of “Seasonal Response” for Trouble Reduction with Tenants and Neighboring Residents#
Systematization of “seasonal response” is progressing for trouble reduction with tenants and neighboring residents.
Systematization of Seasonal Response
- Standardization of responses according to season
- Preparation of response manuals
- Implementation of effective responses
Trouble Reduction Effects
- Reduction in trouble occurrence numbers
- Efficiency improvement in trouble resolution
- Management optimization
Summary: Soundproofing and Management Quality Improves by “Knowing Seasons”#
Soundproofing and management quality improves by “knowing seasons.”
“Proactive Response” Becomes Possible by Understanding Seasonal Patterns in Consultation Numbers#
“Proactive response” becomes possible by understanding seasonal patterns in consultation numbers.
Benefits of Proactive Response
- Prevention of troubles before they occur
- Implementation of effective countermeasures
- Management efficiency improvement
Sound Troubles Should Be Managed as Seasonal Factors in Rental and Soundproofing Properties#
Sound troubles should be managed as seasonal factors in rental and soundproofing properties.
Management Design Considering Seasonal Factors
- Implementation of responses according to season
- Implementation of effective countermeasures
- Management optimization
Importance of Management Design
- Reduction in trouble occurrence numbers
- Efficiency improvement in trouble resolution
- Management quality improvement