Understanding Sound Ratings for Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners
When you’re purchasing a new heating and air conditioning system, the noise levels that the unit emits during operation may be important. It’s possible to compare sound levels between different systems with the decibel (dB) rating that’s attached to each unit. Explaining Decibels A decibel, also referred to as a dB, is a unit of measurement that represents the varying levels of sound that a person hears. The sounds that are heard on a daily basis usually range from 0-120 dB. It’s also common for sounds with a higher pitch to sound louder than sounds with a lower pitch. When comparing the sound levels for the noises you routinely hear, keep in mind that increasing the dB by 10 means that 10x more sound energy is being produced. Some examples of sounds with lower dB levels are: Breathing – 10 dB Whispering – 15-20 dB Ticking clock – 30 dB Library – 40-50 dB Rainfall – 50 dB Conversation – 60 dB Some examples of sounds with a higher dB level are: Loud talking – 70 dB Vacuum cleaner – 75 dB Traffic – 80 dB Lawnmower – 90 dB Train – 100 dB Car horn – 110 dB Rock...
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