Noise in the Hood
Where once having a quiet appliance was a desire, it has now become a need, and consumers are actively seeking out products, specifically extraction models that feature very low noise levels.
Above: Miele’s G 7160 SCVi dishwasher has a quiet 44dB noise level and is Quiet Mark Approved
Owain Harrison, country manager at Novy, said: “It has always been Novy’s mission to manufacture the quietest cooker hoods and vented hobs, with noise levels that are quieter than the sound of cooking. In Belgium, Novy works with the the University of Ghent to constistently develop the most efficient and noise efficient hoods available for consumer use. “As a general rule, the sound of a quiet library is around 34dB and normal conversation is between 60dB and 65dB and all of our models – even recirculation versions, have maximum continuous noise levels that are lower than 65dB, while minimum noise levels start at 34dB.” Mr Harrison said Quiet Mark has independently certified all of Novy’s ceiling, wall-mounted and
integrated hoods for their silent operation. Howard Bogod, managing director of DR Kitchen Appliances, the exclusive distributor of Elica, said that the brand invested in its state-of-the-market facilities to focus on making appliances as quiet as possible. Mr Bogod said: “Elica has met this challenge by designing the complete airway and fan in such
Above: Elica’s Super Plat has maximum airflow of 740m3/h Below: Siemens fully integrated dishwasher, SN95ZX61CG
a way that it is inherently quiet without sacrificing performance and combining this with the latest sound proofing materials.” Willi Bruckbauer, founder of BORA, said a downward extractor will be significantly quieter than a head-height model.
“BORA appliance only make around the same level of noise that a steak makes when cooking, so
it won’t disturb any other activities taking place in the room,” said Mr Bruckbauer, “The best way to demonstrate this is with working models in the showroom.
it matters how loud an appliance is when purchasing one for their home, with 45% wishing their washing machine were quieter than their current ones. When it comes to appliances, and more
significantly what manufacturers are doing to help reduce the noise their products make, Alex Lucas, business unit head, laundry, at BSH Home Appliances, said there are many factors that contribute to lower noise levels including materials used, construction techniques, levels of insulation, component engineering and program design, resulting in many features that reduce noise as well as improve performance. “For retailers looking to advise customers on quiet appliances, the decibel rating on the energy label is a great starting point,” Mr Lucas said. “From here, retailers can then explain the decibel scale and give some reference ‘real world’ examples to help orientate the consumer. For example, 40dB would be an average library environment compared to 50dB which would be having a conversation at home. There are online tools that
October/November 2022
can also help with some good examples.” The shift in consumer behaviour has showed manufacturers that sound is top of the agenda when shopping for appliances, alongside smart technology, financial savings and environmental impact. Matt Jinks, national sales manager at Liebherr,
said: “The transition in the ways in which we live and work following the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that the noise output from compressors needed to be significantly reduced to allow for this new way of living.” When choosing an appliance, it’s not only
the features and design that matter to the consumer, it’s the whole package and sound is a crucial part of that. Sophie Lane, product training manager at
Miele GB, said: “A vast array of Miele appliances have been awarded the distinctive purple Quiet Mark symbol by its acoustic experts in recognition of the many products we have that are among the quietest in their categories. “We are devoted to continuing to invest in the acoustic design and sound quality of our appliances for the long term. From cooker hoods and refrigeration appliances to products in our dishwasher and laundry ranges, we have been awarded the Quiet Mark symbol across
a selection of categories, helping to reduce unwanted noise in the entire home.” John Davies, head of marketing at Smeg,
says that sound can often be overlooked, and he says that a number of the company’s appliances have been recognised as quiet in their respective categories, however, Smeg has not funded the licensing of Quiet Mark. In the showroom, a working kitchen provides
the perfect platform to demonstrate your quietest models, across the dishwasher, laundry, refrigeration or extraction categories, to create a ‘quiet’ kitchen. Mr Jinks said that along with displaying the Quiet Mark on the appliances, retailers can have dedicated Quiet Mark branded areas. “By displaying this accredited certification, alongside technical information, retailers can display the noise output in a visual way,” Mr Jinks said.
Smeg publishes the Db rating if products so if
a customer is designing an open plan space in particular, it’s worth comparing models for their sound emissions. Davies says: “Up to four products can be
compared head-to-head on our website and a check box with only show differences allows a quick filter of specifications and energy class.”
www.ierdaily.co.uk | 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
