Good garbage disposal is a great way to dispose of unwanted leftovers and table scraps. The problem most people have with these devices is the noise they make. So, it’s necessary to get a quiet garbage disposal. And you can reduce the noise if you know what to look for.
The Sound Shield
Garbage disposals use a motor that will never be completely quiet, but you can lower the decibels by getting disposal with a sound shield. Sound shields are usually found with larger disposal units and use a range of mechanisms to mask the motor sound. Most will encase the motor in layers of thick insulation to dampen the noise. Some of the more expensive disposal units will have insulation wrapped around the moving parts of the disposal unit.
The vibration of the motor also causes a lot of noise. When looking at disposal units, you have to look for sound seal isolation which reduces this noise. This can include anti-vibration tailpipes and sink mounts. Sink baffles are also used to lock the disposal in place and reduce the vibrations.
The Power Of The Unit
While your garbage disposal needs to be powerful enough to grind scraps, the more power you have the noisier it will be. Low power motors will be able to grind most scraps other than harsh items and bones. These motors are also so quiet that most manufacturers do not use any sound damping.
The weakest motor you can get is a 1/3 horsepower unit. This is the most popular on the market and the quietest. They are also the most affordable, but will not be able to grind harsh foods.
The most powerful disposals have a 1 or 2 horsepower motor. These units will grind anything and very rarely jam. However, they are the most expensive and loudest.
The Brand
Some manufacturers are known for the silence of their garbage disposal units. These are the brands you will want to look at, such as Waste King, but you also need to consider their overall reputation. Brands that are more popular will also be easier to purchase, install, and maintain. Parts will be easier to get and you will not have to worry about not being able to maintain them correctly.
The history of the manufacturer should also be considered. Companies that have been making disposals for many years will be better than new companies. They have the knowledge to back up their products and plumbers will generally know how to handle them.
The Price
The last factor you should consider when choosing garbage disposal is the price. Price should not be the deciding factor when choosing because you could end up with a noisier unit. The price of these units will vary from under $100 to over $300. However, the lower the power of the motor, the cheaper the unit will generally be.
There are many factors that you need to consider when looking for a quiet garbage disposal. You have to look at the sound shield being used as well as the power of the motor.
Resouces
Garbage Disposal Power, El Cajon Electric