Modern housewives use specialized household appliances to clean the air in the kitchen. To prevent the spread of odor throughout the apartment during cooking, you can use hoods. They are classified by size, design and technical specifications. The most important criterion when buying this equipment is the noise level that it creates during operation. You can always find out this parameter from the sales assistant or in the description. For your own comfort, it is better to choose silent hoods.
Functionality of exhaust systems for the kitchen
Certain noise during the operation of the exhaust system is created due to a working electric motor and fan rotation. From this it becomes clear that generally silent units do not yet exist. The following parameters influence the generation of noise by an exhaust system:
- Production - this value shows the number of cubic meters of air that is passed through the exhaust structure per hour of operation.
- The size of the kitchen (for large kitchens there must be a large output).
- Hood power (for large rooms, the power should be greater than for medium and small).
All of the above parameters intersect with each other and a simple formula is used for their calculation - the height and area of the kitchen are multiplied by 12. The norms indicate that it is in this quantity that the air should be completely updated while the kitchen is preparing food.
Typically, the loudest hoods have high power and performance. If necessary, remove the dirty air stream, the result is multiplied by a factor of 1.3. This takes into account the length of the standard duct, the depth of the shaft and the number of floors in the building.
Example: for a standard five-story house with a kitchen area of 6 square meters. m, the height of the ceilings is 2.25 m, when choosing a hood with exhaust for ventilation, the calculation will be as follows: 6 x 2.25 x 12 x 1.3 = 210.6 cubic meters per hour. That is, you need a hood, the performance of which is at least 250 cubic meters. m. When installing a recirculation system, the result in this case will be 162 cubic meters per hour.
These calculations are necessary in order to choose a range hood that is ideal for a particular kitchen. During the purchase process, you must always take into account its production and what noise level it creates.
It should be noted that when choosing a quiet modern cooker hoods it is better to choose devices with higher performance to ensure normal circulation.
From the foregoing, we can conclude that the hood cannot produce noise. But manufacturers take measures so that during its operation the sounds are not so unpleasant for a person.
What are the noise levels?
A sheet with the technical characteristics of the device, which indicates hood noise level. However, each person has his own perception. The same sound level for one can be very loud, and for the other within normal limits. The following noises occur in our lives:
- With the music and household appliances turned off, noise is still present in the room. Absolute silence is very difficult to achieve, especially for residents of large settlements. When a person enters a space away from civilization, an unusual silence is immediately noticed first. This is all due to the fact that in such an area the background noise is significantly reduced than in the city.Thus, in a room with the devices turned off, the sound background is 30 dB.
- When two people talk in a loud whisper, the sound level at a distance of five meters will be 35 dB.
- A conversation in a normal voice within a radius of 10 meters or quietly turned on music creates a noise of 45 dB. Moreover, this indicator is typical for most modern exhaust systems.
- A conversation between two people in an ordinary voice (not underestimated specifically) at a distance of 5 meters is 50 dB. For many people, such a sound does not cause discomfort and is considered normal for perception. The brain often considers this to be still background noise. However, for people with acute hearing or for those who have nervous overloads, it is recommended to choose hoods with a lower noise level, since 50 dB can lead to irritation.
- Sounds that create noise above 50 dB are perceived by the human ear as quite loud. If two people speak in elevated tones at a distance of 5 meters, then this equates to 55 - 60 dB.
- Noise levels from 110 to 130 dB, depending on individual perception and the state in which the nervous system is located, can lead to physical pain.
Since the pain threshold a healthy person with normal hearing is from 110 to 130 dB, and exhaust kitchen systems create a sound of only 55 to 65 dB, then there is no strong effect on the auditory organ of people in the room. In addition, it only works during cooking.
What technologies help reduce noise?
Silent modern hoods in the kitchen amaze lovers of cooking with their excellent design, good power and performance. With the help of such a household appliance, it becomes possible to create culinary masterpieces by watching your favorite TV shows, listening to music programs or talking on the phone. If there are small children in the apartment, quiet hoods during work will not disturb their sensitive sleep. Due to this, they can be installed even in kitchen facilities combined with another room.
To ensure a low noise level during the operation of the exhaust system, manufacturers applied the following measures:
- We increased the number of fans - there was one, but two. Thanks to this, the engine slowed down and began to sound quieter. In addition, dual-fan hoods have a significant power reserve.
- The wall thickness of the case was expanded. With very thin walls, the sound level will be louder. In addition to the fact that practically nothing will prevent him, so the walls themselves will resonate. With thick walls, the sound will be much quieter. However, this method led to an increase in the weight of the household appliance, so it is possible to increase the thickness only within the reasonable range.
- Positioned the fan further from the air intake.
- Acoustic “traps” (sound absorbers) were installed in the inside of the case.
Overview of powerful and quiet hoods for the kitchen
Modern buyers in the process of choosing and acquiring an exhaust system for the kitchen first of all pay attention to appliances with low noise impact, high power and an acceptable price tag.
Below is presented rating of the best hoods for purification of air during cooking.
Bosch DFS 067K50
This hood is a premium model, it can be integrated into a hanging cabinet, the width of which is 60 cm. It has a retractable screen and a decorative metal panel. Grease aluminum filters can be washed in the dishwasher. The main parameters include:
- Possibility of touch control.
- The design of two motors, which has additional sound insulation.
- The brushless motor makes it possible to operate the hood economically and quietly.
- Low noise. In normal mode, the noise level is from 40 to 54 dB, and in intensive - from 61 to 66.
In addition, the hood has a sensor that analyzes how many fumes have arrived and activates a suitable mode. If it works in intensive mode for more than 6 minutes, then after this time it will automatically change to a lower one.The price of this model varies from 35,000 to 38,000 rubles.
Elica Shire BL / A / 90
The exhaust system of the Elica brand is made in an inclined design, making it suitable for any interior. The maximum output in 3 modes reaches 1200 cubic meters per hour. It can be integrated in a 90-cm cabinet. Not only recirculation, but also bypass function prevails. The diameter of the air outlet is 15 cm. The noise level during operation of the device does not exceed 68 dB. Its biggest advantage is electronic touch control. The average price is 17,900 rubles.
ELIKOR Lapis Lazuli 60
This model has a modern design and wide functionality. Qualitatively eliminates polluted air from the room and additionally highlights the kitchen area. The exhaust system is equipped not only with a venting mode, but also with recirculation. Productivity can reach 430 cubic meters per hour in the third mode. The minimum noise level is 34 dB, and the maximum is 54 dB. It also has a grease filter and a place for installing an active one. It consumes 225 watts during operation. The average price tag for it varies from 10,100 to 10,600 rubles.
Krona steel Bella 600
Hoods of this company are made in Germany in various color schemes. Krona steel Bella 600 is made in an elegant design and is of high quality. It has a grease filter and a separate niche for coal, but you need to buy it yourself. The hood has three speeds, which you need to switch manually. Maximum productivity is 390 cubic meters per hour. At the same time, it is powerful and consumes 110 watts during operation. Noise levels can vary from 39 to 46 dB. The price starts from 8500 rubles.
Cata TF 2003 Duralum
This is a Chinese range hood with two speed modes that can only be switched with buttons. Also, this model has a backlight in the form of two lamps, glowing up to 40 watts each. There is no circulation and filtration mode. The diameter of the nozzle is 120 mm. The productivity that it can give reaches a maximum of 600 cubic meters per hour. The average price for this model starts at 7200 rubles.