I'm still of the stance that heat pumps work well, if the house heating system is designed/adjusted to accomodate.
Modern insulation, large radiators/underfloor heating? Ideal candidate, you'll hit decent efficiency most of the time.
1930s house with little insulation, and un-calculated radiators thrown in and run at 70'C?
You might as well be using bare electric heating at a lower install cost.
So the push for ASHP/GSHPs needs to be a two pronged attack: Get places ready to receive them, then install them.
Interesting point. Hadn't even considered the cumulative noise issue. I imagine heat pumps will get quieter, but initially at leat you're right, they could be a real issue in terraced properties, for example.
This is definitely part of the heat pump push that I am not looking forward to.
ASHPs do make noise, badly installed they make more, and more vibration.
I forsee lots of painful battles between council departments trying to push for ASHPs, and noise complaints.
My solution is to move to a detatched house eventually, as I can't see it going well at all!