Gloria Gale Top photo courtesy of Kitchens by Kleweno; bottom photos courtesy of LG, Miele and Lennox

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• The ‘Over and Out’ Is In
• Watching Your Water Usage
• Swim Safe
• Tuning In
• Quiet Riot

Glass hood - Photo courtesy of Miele

Kitchens by Kleweno

Kitchens by Kleweno

Kitchens by Kleweno

Kitchens by Kleweno

Photo courtesy of Miele

Wild Cherry Steam Washer - Photo courtesy of LG

Photo courtesy of Lennox

What a racket!

Everywhere you turn, either people or machines are clamoring for attention. No wonder that whether you’re outside in the thick of bustle or inside, constantly barraged by bells and whistles, the sound of silence is becoming a remote commodity. 

Manufacturers are taking the hint, putting a quiet spin on appliances that have, in the past, been significantly distracting.

Kristeen Armstrong-Scott, CKD and owner of Armstrong Kitchens says, “As appliances meet the demand to turn down the decibels, the sound of the machine is going to be affected by the acoustics of the surrounding cabinets and floor. Once the kitchen is efficiently designed for form and function, then the appliances can be expected to perform at their potential.”
She cites Bosch and Miele dishwashers as two manufacturers that consistently get the nod for their noiseless operation. “They have relied on a competitive price point, easy installation, solid craftsmanship and a reliable track record while addressing the noise level with discreet and powerfully built housing.” Another selection is German-crafted Gaggenau, which calls its frugal dishwasher masterpiece a “quiet performer.” 

American manufactures are responding in kind. Notably, GE’s Nautilus Quiet Power dishwasher has only 47db, which the company claims is as quiet as a neighborhood library, while Thermador has a nearly silent cycle and simultaneously injects a noiseless power booster to clean dishes in a mere 60 minutes. Dacor takes high-tech a step further, bypassing noise completely. When the wash cycle is active, a light, deemed the Ilumina, blinks blue on the floor, finishing with a steady blue light to acknowledge the cycle is complete. Finally, Viking has its QuietClean system, touted as virtually silent in operation, and Amana has its SofSound package, which assures you’ll easily be able to hear your favorite TV program.

But sweet silence might still be a bit of a problem if you’re plagued with slamming cabinet doors. Unless your cabinets throughout the home are outfitted with a plunger gasket system or BluMotion’s Soft Close technology, you might need to retrofit hinges and rollers into your existing cabinets. Concealed hinges and drawer-runner systems designed with zinc coated steel and roller mechanisms eliminate the thud instantly. Randy Sisk, owner/designer with Kitchens by Kleweno acknowledges, “Most high-end cabinet manufacturers utilize a gliding or bumper technology to soften any impact.”

Like dishwashing, refrigeration started with a noisy heritage — a basic block of ice cooled by a fan. Gliding into the modern age, the ice box of old is now energy-efficient with foam instead of fiberglass insulation at its core to silence any rattle. Most built-in models, such as Sub-Zero, Thermador’s PowerfullyQuiet and Viking, offer insulated panels to quell the noise.
“Sub-Zero’s dual compressors — one for the freezer, one for the fridge — renders a very quiet unit,” notes Sally Borel, marketing specialist at Roth Concept Center. 

Although freestanding refrigerators likely will be noisier than built-ins, new insulating technology, coupled with fewer internal fans, delivers more of a purr than a roar.

That being said, as refrigerators have increasingly become quieter, two other neighboring appliances are coming off a justified rap: the ventilation hood and the garbage disposal.

It’s a tall order to render an unsullied kitchen of soot and odor, especially when there’s so much muscle designed to generate power (think: high octane BTUs) at the cook top. Until recently, range hood ventilation put a blip in countertop conversation. “In the past, when I switched on the vent over my range, it was like turning on jet engines,” asserts one gourmet cook.

Broan has answered with a modern line of quiet, external or in-line blower range-hood systems that suck the grime and smell outside. Ventilation is measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute; the bigger the cooking surface, the more CFM exhaust you’re going to need. “Most of the manufacturers are now offering the blower exhaust or downdraft systems designed to deflect the noise outside,” Kristeen says. “Just make sure the system is housed away from the deck or in an inconspicuous space.” Abbaka’s Wall Canopy Series, Zephyr’s OM and Gaggenau’s telescopic swivel exhaust all are purported to be among the quietest ventilation systems currently on the market. 

That other noisy bad boy, the garbage disposal, is often interruptive if you’re trying to hold a conversation. Both KitchenAid’s WhisperQuiet technology and InSinkErator have put a lid on their loud reputation. Generally, the fatter the unit, the more insulation, anti-vibration mounting and the more grinding power. InSinkErator’s SoundSeal Plus technology cuts noise level by 60 percent.
Since convenience and efficiency are operative words in home technology, people are moving their washer/dryers up from the basement into the hall or their master bedroom closet. Peace and quiet in these soft-spoken locations will continue with products featuring brushless motors, suspended pumping systems and special sound-muffling materials.

Second-floor laundry rooms are smart moves. Samsung’s VRT, or Vibration Reduction Technology, and Whirlpool’s Duet Sport Ultra Quiet Wash both yield machines built with quiet technology in mind. Similarly, LG’s direct-drive advanced functionality for its SteamFresh system is making headway as an industry leader in steam cleaning for both washer and dryer.

“Asko, a Swedish manufacturer of front-load washers, has been highly regarded for its all steel construction, energy efficiency and quiet performance,” Sally says. “Plus, with Asko’s integrated panels that look like cabinetry, you can’t even tell it’s a washer/dryer.”

Older homes are notorious for their unique sounds particularly when it comes to heating and cooling. Aside from the fact that York offers a palette of seven colors for its AC unit, the company has developed its whisper-quiet QuietDrive technology to accompany the good look. The Affinity line of air conditioners includes sound-absorbing materials that reduce air noise as low as 64db on low speed. High-speed sound levels are not all that much louder at 70db, or about the same as your fridge.  

Lennox’s Signature Collection air conditioners, variable speed furnaces and heat pumps showcase its exclusive SilentComfort Technology. The G61V variable-speed gas furnace is, according to Lennox district manager Rick Bastmeyer, the quietest furnace you can buy, while Lennox’s XC21 two-stage air conditioner is calibrated at 69db, or 13 times quieter than the standard air conditioner. According to Rick, not only does Lennox make an outstanding product, “We will be totally green in 2010.”

Once everything in your home is running smoothly and silently, you’ll experience the bliss gained from quieter technology, engineered for your peace of mind.