VERY quiet ceiling mounted (min IP X4) bathroom fan recommendations?

[HappyHippyDad]

My very well off customer wants the most quiet ceiling mounted extractor fan there is. They have stipulated that cost is not a barrier and they just want something quiet.

I have used one extremely quiet fan in the past, but it simply didn't do it's job, so that's pointless. This fan still needs to be able to extract.

IPX4 as a minimum as it will be in Zone 2.

An in-line fan is not an option unfortunately as there is no space above.

Any recommendations?

Cheers

 

[nicebutdim]

Ordered a couple of Blauberg Calm 100 H. 97m3/h extraction and 25dB.

Maybe we can get a thread together with recommendations for a whole range of quiet extractor fans

 

[Vortigern]

Realistically, I don't think such a thing exists. I would tell the customer they are crying for the moon. Even if you get a quiet one, later on it starts making more noise. It is just plain unrealistic to offer to customers something that just does not exist. I am happy to be proved wrong on this.

 

[nicebutdim]

Realistically, I don't think such a thing exists. I would tell the customer they are crying for the moon. Even if you get a quiet one, later on it starts making more noise. It is just plain unrealistic to offer to customers something that just does not exist. I am happy to be proved wrong on this.

The main difference seems to be in the bearing, although I'm sure there are some other differences in design. Regardless; the cheap junk fitted in this house are only a few dB below an old diesel engine starting in cold weather and any reduction in noise will be welcome.

 

[DPG]

The main difference seems to be in the bearing, although I'm sure there are some other differences in design. Regardless; the cheap junk fitted in this house are only a few dB below an old diesel engine starting in cold weather and any reduction in noise will be welcome.

Keep us posted. I want to change one of mine. Not necessarily ultra quiet, but I need a decent flow rate.

 

[nicebutdim]

Keep us posted. I want to change one of mine. Not necessarily ultra quiet, but I need a decent flow rate.

Will do and @HappyHippyDad should soon have something to report about the Airflow Quietair

 

[nicebutdim]

2x Blauberg 'Calm 100H' fitted.

Are they as quiet as 25dB? I don't believe they are. The sound level meter app I downloaded this morning doesn't appear to be particularly accurate, but it does indicate a reasonable reduction in noise. Perhaps they are 'whisper quiet', but I'd place them at the louder end of the whisper range.

The ensuite fan seems slightly quieter than its predecessor (original wasn't too bad), but the difference is more more apparent from outside the room.

Main bathroom fan is much quieter than its predecessor (the noisey one) and difference outside the room is vast.

I suspect the actual noise created by fan operation is little different between old and new and that the real difference is reduced vibration. I'm most definitely happy with these fans and the noise difference in the house, but am glad I paid £47 each and didn't go with other options costing 2-3 times as much.

What interests me most is how the humidistat operation pans out and I suspect there'll be a few adjustments to be made.

On the installation side, they're a bit of a pain and have a small sealed compartment about the size that Aico provide on their detectors, with cable grip about 15mm back from terminations.

 

[DPG]

2x Blauberg 'Calm 100H' fitted.

Are they as quiet as 25dB? I don't believe they are. The sound level meter app I downloaded this morning doesn't appear to be particularly accurate, but it does indicate a reasonable reduction in noise. Perhaps they are 'whisper quiet', but I'd place them at the louder end of the whisper range.

The ensuite fan seems slightly quieter than its predecessor (original wasn't too bad), but the difference is more more apparent from outside the room.

Main bathroom fan is much quieter than its predecessor (the noisey one) and difference outside the room is vast.

I suspect the actual noise created by fan operation is little different between old and new and that the real difference is reduced vibration. I'm most definitely happy with these fans and the noise difference in the house, but am glad I paid £47 each and didn't go with other options costing 2-3 times as much.

What interests me most is how the humidistat operation pans out and I suspect there'll be a few adjustments to be made.

On the installation side, they're a bit of a pain and have a small sealed compartment about the size that Aico provide on their detectors, with cable grip about 15mm back from terminations.

Good info thanks. Keep us posted on the humidistat side of things!

 

[nicebutdim]

I should have added that reduction in noise is accompanied by a siginifcantly greater rate of extraction.

 

[DPG]

I should have added that reduction in noise is accompanied by a siginifcantly greater rate of extraction.

Fundamental physics I suppose. Like people who expect full range performance from small speakers. I'll post a picture of my 1970s Wharfedale Kingsdales at some point. Loveliness!

 

[nicebutdim]

Fundamental physics I suppose. Like people who expect full range performance from small speakers. I'll post a picture of my 1970s Wharfedale Kingsdales at some point. Loveliness!

Unless I've picked you up wrongly, it's the opposite - less noise and more airflow.

 

[DPG]

Unless I've picked you up wrongly, it's the opposite - less noise and more airflow.

Same but different? Not sure. I've had a few ales tonight with the Mrs so accuracy is not my strong point.

 

[telectrix]

I just open the window and the door. totally silent and no leccy costs.

 

[nicebutdim]

I just open the window and the door. totally silent and no leccy costs.

Windows locked open all day in better weather and trickle vents open during the day through colder months. In my view that should be sufficient, but kids take long showers/baths at odd hours. I'd sooner pay for a couple of new fans, along low ongoing costs for electricity, than deal with the effects of excess moisture in a hermetically sealed modern home.

 

[telectrix]

but kids take long showers/baths at odd hours.

canal is open 24/7, 365 days. get the kids to grow some balls.

 

[nicebutdim]

Revisiting this as I was quite harsh in that initial assessment. The noise reduction is stark - I still don't believe they're as quiet as 25dB, but they're much quiter than previous fans and most noise is from air being extracted. From outside the bathrooms they can barely be heard and from more than a few feet outside their operation is barely preceptible.

On a different note, the humidistats are fantastic. First couple of days they seemed to operate for longer, which suggests some residual moisture in the rooms - no damp, but obviosuly more moisture than expected. Since then they've worked flawlessly - they come on quickly when shower or bath is running and do their thing for as long as necessary. Humidistats are set at 60%, which I thought might be too ambitious for winter in NI, but that's worked out well and I like the idea of moist air being efficiently extracted.

Any news on the other fan, @HappyHippyDad ?