HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Innovations that reduce the noise in your home and increase your wellbeing
BY CAROLINE RODRIGUES | 7 FEBRUARY 2022
What would you give for a bit of peace and quiet? In its recent National Noise Report based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, the noise reduction campaigner Quiet Mark revealed that 57% of Brits would like their homes to be less noisy. A further 62% would prefer quiet appliances.
‘Because sound is invisible, it’s often overlooked,’ says Quiet Mark CEO and co-founder Poppy Szkiler. ‘Yet its impact on our wellbeing is profound.’
Quiet Mark identifies the quietest products through scientific testing and assessment. In 2022 it will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of certified products for a quiet home has more than tripled, from 350 to more than 1,200. The number of manufacturers achieving certification has also risen from 60 to more than 80.
Here’s a small selection of the products that have been recently certified.
With a Daikin air purifier you can enjoy fresh air without opening the windows and doors, avoiding cold draughts and pollutants coming inside. Simply switch on for purified air in an instant. Designed for living spaces and bedrooms, the compact MCK55W humidifying air purifier features near-silent yet powerful cleaning capability all in one compact appliance.
Daikin MCK55W humidifying air purifier
Maintain the moisture levels in a room with the Ultrasonic humidifier Tag by Duux. This combats the stinging eyes, headache or static electricity that can be associated with dry air. Plus, its virtually silent operation promotes wellbeing and ensures a quiet home. Available in black or white, the appliance is compatible with the lavender, citronella and eucalyptus aromatherapy oils from Duux which stimulate the senses and aid relaxation.
Ultrasonic humidifier Tag by Duux
A quiet dishwasher is a must for a less noisy home, especially for small apartments or open-plan living. The Quiet Mark registered Double DishDrawer from Fisher & Paykel has two independently-operating drawers, the top one at waist height to save you bending. With 15 different programs including an eco function, the DD60DDFHB9 Double DishDrawer operates at a very low decibel rate. Even the end-of-programme alert can be turned off.
Double DishDrawer from Fisher & Paykel
For hush in the kitchen, the Novy Up collection of vented induction hobs comes in five different configurations, including one with an integrated wok and another with a teppanyaki plate. These can be either surface or flush-mounted. An integrated extractor tower rises up for quiet extraction while you cook, with an adjustable valve to direct extraction at a low level when frying in a shallow pan or higher up when using a tall saucepan.
Novy Up teppanyaki hob and hood combination
The Silent Dual extraction fan from ventilation supplier S&P UK easily fits to the wall or ceiling of a kitchen, bathroom or utility room. Its built-in humidity sensor reacts to peaks when the shower is running, while the PIR (passive infrared) detector reacts to motion in the room. Whether running continuously or intermittently, the noise levels stay low, for a quiet home. S&P UK Ventilation Systems is the UK subsidiary of global manufacturer Soler & Palau.
Silent Dual extraction fan from S&P UK
With a Quiet Mark certified AS2000SR thermostatic power shower from Triton Showers there’s no concern over disturbance from a noisy shower pump. Designed for low-pressure, gravity-fed systems its pump provides flow rates of up to 14 litres per minute for a powerful shower. The AS2000SR maintains a constant water temperature regardless of any change in pressure. This power shower is ideal for families, as the maximum temperature limit is adjustable.
Triton Showers AS2000SR Thermostatic Power Shower
Powered by electricity, air-source heat pumps (ASHP) extract warmth from the air and convert it into heating and hot water. They consist of an outdoor and an indoor unit and Vaillant heat pumps are ideal for a quiet home. Operating at low noise levels, the outdoor aroTHERM Plus, which can team up with a choice of indoor units, suits built-up areas and terraced houses where noise can be an issue. Use this Quiet Mark certified air-to-water model for new installations or retrofit projects.
The Vaillant aroTHERM Plus
Karndean was one of the first flooring manufacturers to team up with Quiet Mark. Korlok, Karndean’s rigid core range, is ideal where acoustics, uneven subfloors or an existing hard floor need to be considered. Its click-lock system is fast to fit, and the pre-attached acoustic foam backing reduces sound transfer – no separate underlay is required. The water resistant range is suitable for bathrooms.
Karndean’s Korlok rigid core range
For more solutions to unwanted noise, visit Quiet Mark’s Acoustics Academy at quietmark.com. You can also find out more about the importance of managing sound with the intriguing Quiet Mark podcast.
Read the original article on the Grand Designs Magazine website here.
Discover the benefits of products designed to achieve low noise levels
New-build floors must achieve acoustic values as set out in Building Regulations Part E, and most new extensions must meet them too. The regulations apply to refurbishments as well, albeit with slightly less strict measures. Values for airborne sound insulation, such as speech or TV noise, and impact sound insulation, such as footsteps, must be met.
Invest in products with great acoustic performance for a more peaceful home
