In Noise Action Week: Introducing the AEG-Electrolux Appliances for a quiet life!
Photos
Pictured:AEG-Electrolux F99000MP quietest dishwasher and Ultrasilencer quietest vacuum cleaner.
In a noisy world – people want quieter appliances
The biggest ever survey on noise in the home commissioned by AEG-Electrolux in 2007 revealed that the vast majority of consumers across Europe say it was a mistake not taking more consideration of the noise an appliance makes at the time of purchase.
The AEG-Electrolux Noise Report 2007 found that 29% of those buying washing machines, 28% of those buying dishwashers, 33% of those buying cooker hoods, 27% of those buying tumble dryers and 18% of those buying refrigerators wished they had taken noise in to account to a greater degree when they bought each item.
Anna Cox marketing manager at Electrolux comments, “The study showed that in some cases, consumers were so unhappy with the noise their new appliance made, they eventually threw it out – or never actually used.”
The survey revealed that given the choice again, around half would go for the quieter option, even if it was more expensive, whether it was for washing machines, cooker hoods or dishwashers. Interestingly, and perhaps not surprisingly, the survey found that many people also strongly associated quieter appliances with quality, reliability, efficiency and thus environmental friendliness. From Electrolux’s point of view, this is certainly true for the new range of AEG-Electrolux quiet appliances.
What constitutes a ‘quiet appliance’?
The problem with noise is that it is subjective – one person’s harmonious melody is another person’s nightmare. This makes it impossible to measure noise, only sound can be measured. Most of us realise that decibels are the units by which sound is measured but few of us know what this means when it comes to measuring how loud appliances are in the home. The chart below gives a guide to the sound levels of some common noises. These are not absolute levels but give an indication of the relative rankings of everyday sounds. The chart includes average noise level for various domestic appliances along with the AEG-Electrolux quieter models
0 dB The threshold of hearing
20dB The sound of a whisper
30dB WHO recommendation for undisturbed sleep
37dB AEG-Electrolux F99000MP ‘Quietest dishwasher in the world’ – 39dB on standard programme, 37dB on extra silent.
40dB Refrigerator or a library
49dB AEG-Electrolux L86850 washing machine
50dB Average Dishwasher
57dB AEG-Electrolux DD9663-M/DD9693-M Chimney Hoods
60dB Sewing machine
65dB Average Cooker hood
68dB AEG T59840 tumble dryer
68dB AEG-Electrolux Ultrasilencer vacuum cleaner
70dB Average tumble dryer
70dB Average Washing Machine or TV
78dB Average vacuum cleaner
85dB Prolonged exposure above this level can cause damage tohearing
90dB Food processor, lawn mower,
100dB Electric drill
110dB Personal stereo
120dB Thunder, loud stereo,
130dB Threshold of pain
140dB Fireworks, plane taking off
150dB Gunshot
What few of us realise is that a change of 3dB(A) technically halves or doubles sound levels. For example, this actually means that a power drill emits more than 8 times as much noise as a food processor and more than 64 times as much noise as the average vacuum cleaner.
ENDS
Press Information: Susan Dean 0118 9761190 or Sue Hargreaves 0118 9760030 pressoffice@electroluxmajorappliances.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. AEG-Electrolux commissioned the report to draw attention to the issue of noise in the home – and the report includes a section dedicated to both the kitchen ‘the noisiest room in the home for the majority” – and also to the attitudes and problems noisy domestic appliances cause.
2. The independent research was conducted on behalf of AEG-Electrolux by Market Intelligence Management Limited in January 2007. The ten countries surveyed were Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Russia and UK.
3. An AEG-Electrolux kitchen means virtually silent cooking, cooling and washing! AEG-Electrolux offers products far quieter than average – right across its ranges.
