How can I reduce the noise of my ventilation system?
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Why does my ventilation system make noise?
It is important to know where noise in your ventilation system is coming from, before you can reduce it. A ventilation system causes air to be moved and in doing so, vibrations are released. To do this, a mechanical ventilation system is equipped with a motor that also creates vibrations. Many of these vibrations produce noise and thus annoyance. The noise level can vary from one ventilation system to another.
How do I reduce the noise in my ventilation system?
1. Make sure the ventilation system is properly placed.
2. Attach air duct noice silencers to your ventilation.
3. Choose the correct ducts for your ventilation system.
4. Use the mode switch for your ventilation system or go for demand-controlled ventilation.
5. Clean and maintain your ventilation system.
6. Has the time come to replace your mechanical ventilation system?
TIP 1: Placement of the ventilation system
Have the ventilation system placed in a separate room, as far away from the living spaces as possible. To prevent noise in your ventilation system, you want to make sure it has a solid, stable background. When the fan is on, an unstable wall will cause more vibration, which in turn leads to more noise. If necessary, place rubber behind the fan to reduce vibrations. Also, get your ventilation system adjusted properly so that the right amount of air flows through the system. Incorrect adjustment can cause noisy vents.
TIP 2: Duct silencers ventilation system
Air duct noise silencers reduce the vibrations caused by the ventilation system. There are a variety of duct silencers available. A Sonodec acoustically insulated hose can be tailored to your own needs. A flexible silencer, is ready to use and can be attached to the ventilation system. It allows more flexibility in terms of installation.
The most noise comes from the ventilation system, so you should place the duct silencer as close as possible to the noise generator. The thickness and length of the silencer determine the amount of sound reduced. A long silencer reduces noise more effectively. It is important to ensure that the diameter of the duct silencer is equal to the diameter of the pipe or ventilation duct. Inno silencers, also called over-talk silencers, are placed behind a valve.
ATTENTION! Do not use acoustically insulated hoses or silencers from the connections on the WTW system to the outside. Instead use thermal insulated hoses, this prevents condensation.
TIP 3: Choose the right ducts for your ventilation system
Rigid ducts such as spiro ducts are smooth on the inside, which means less resistance inside the duct. Less resistance also means less noise. There are also anti-static ducts that provide noise reduction, such as UniflexPlus and Ubbink Air Excellent. Dust has less chance of getting stuck in these pipes. If dust accumulates in the ducts, air is less able to pass through the pipe and this causes more noise.
A mechanical ventilation system is suitable for connection to an extractor fan. In that case, make sure you choose a powerful model. It is also important to then clean the ventilation system inside. It is important that new parts fit the system exactly to reduce noise. Therefore, when replacing parts, make sure that they have the correct dimensions and connection diameters.
CAUTION! Do not connect your cooker hood to a heat recovery system. If you do, you should take the system apart completely and degrease it annually. The grease will cause the thermal efficiency to drop significantly in a few years.
TIP 4: Use the mode switch or choose demand-controlled ventilation
Most ventilation systems have a mode switch that you use to adjust the ventilation setting. The higher the setting, the louder the ventilation runs and the more noise is generated. So at certain times you can set the ventilation to a lower setting, for instance while you sleep. There is also the option of demand-controlled ventilation. An automatic system with sensors ensures that ventilation only takes place when needed. Humidity and/or CO2 sensors continuously measure air quality and allow a fan to speed up when air quality demands it. Ventilation only takes place when needed, reducing noise pollution and being very energy efficient!
Attention! Do NOT off your mechanical ventilation system! Turning off your ventilation system has harmful consequences for your home or your health, mould may develop due to humidity. Turn off your mechanical ventilation only in case of maintenance, fire or disaster.
TIP 5: Clean and maintain your mechanical ventilation
As mentioned in tip 3, dust can accumulate in the ventilation ducts and this increases noise. The accumulated dust hinders the flow of air. Dirt can also accumulate in your mechanical ventilation box. By regularly cleaning and maintaining your mechanical ventilation, you reduce noise and ensure that your ventilation system lasts longer. Read here how to maintain your ventilation system.
TIP 6: Replace mechanical ventilation box
With an old ventilation system, the motor may be worn out and therefore make more noise. We recommend replacing a ventilation system every 15 years. Not only because the motor may be worn out, but also because the ventilation system then stops working properly and uses more energy. It is smart to replace your mechanical ventilation every now and then for new systems on the market that are a lot quieter and often more energy efficient.
How much noise does mechanical ventilation make?
There is no set number of decibels to attach to the noise of a ventilation system, as noise is affected by several factors. As mentioned in tip 4, your mechanical ventilation system has different settings. For example, a ventilation system at its lowest setting makes a noise of about 40 dB. A noise level of 50 dB is still considered pleasant for our hearing. At the highest setting, the sound of your ventilation system can reach 60 dB. This is comparable to an air conditioner or a normal conversation.
The resistance of your ventilation system also determines the sound level. Resistance is the amount of effort the ventilation system has to put into blowing air through the ducts. If your system has many ducts and bends, it has higher resistance and makes more noise. Lack of maintenance or cleaning of the ventilation system can also contribute to higher noise levels.
Does a noiseless ventilation system exist?
To get straight to the point; no, there is no such thing as a completely silent ventilation system. A ventilation system always contains a motor that makes noise and ventilation also involves air movement, which is never completely silent. The fan motor creates vibrations that reverberate through the ductwork. However, there are silent ventilation systems on the market that produce as little noise as possible.
Itho Daalderop CVE-S eco fan box fan RFT SE 325m3/h + humidity sensor - euro plug 03-00398
What is a silent ventilation system?
So while a ventilation system will always make some noise, today most ventilation systems are quite silent, some just a little less than others. Ultimately, the difference is made in installation, connection and maintenance. We therefore advise you to look further than just "the most silent possible", for example the dimensions, capacity, controls, built-in and extra sensors that can be connected. It is often about the complete picture.
There are some silent mechanical ventilation boxes on the market. Dhese are designed to make the least amount of noise. The ventilation systems of Orcon are considered the quietest mechanical ventilators. Also take a look at the documentation for each product and the properties listed. We always try to inform you as well and as completely as possible, also about the different decibels and other properties per product.
Conclusion and tips
- Although a ventilation system does make noise, there are ways to reduce it in order to prevent noise pollution.
- Placing your ventilation system on a solid background and adjusting it properly are important.
- Use silencers to reduce noise in your ventilation system.
- Make sure your ventilation system has the right ducts.
- Do not forget the maintenance or cleaning of your ventilation system to reduce noise.
- Replace your mechanical ventilation in time to decrease sound.
- The sound of your ventilation system is determined by several factors.
- More resistance in your ventilation system results in more noise
- If you want to reduce the noise in your ventilation system, look at the whole picture and do not immediately go for the "quietest" option.
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