A silent generator is quite the oxymoron. Typically, generators are loud! It is difficult to have a normal conversation when one is running. When there are power outages, the sound can fill a quiet neighborhood with a constant, unyielding buzz.
Portable generators are reported to be louder than home standby generators. The noise is caused by the engine and exhaust of the generator. The unit of sound is measured in decibels (dB). Here is a list of items and their assessed decibel levels:
20 dB the rustling of leaves
30 dB whispering at 3 feet
40 dB a quiet household
50 dB running refrigerator
60 dB sewing machine
70 dB television set
80 dB doorbell
90 dB tractor
100 dB factory machines
105 dB snow blower
110 dB power saw
115 dB football stadium game
120 dB hammering a nail
125 dB chain saw
130 dB jackhammer
135-140 decibels airplane on takeoff
140-150 decibels firecracker
160-170 decibels guns (rifles, handguns, shotguns)
180 decibels a rocket launch
Emergency generators have a noise level than can reach past 100 decibels. Imagine a snow blower or power saw outside your door for hours on end! Therefore, it is very important to be considerate of your neighbors when you run your generator. Tensions can be eased by offering some of your power---a charged cell phone can make all the difference.
There are companies that make barrier walls to reduce noise production. Some industrious people make their own walls but caution should be taken. Generators need to be well ventilated. A top to bottom enclosure can keep in dangerous gases.
Recently, some quiet generators have made it on the market. They fall into the decibel range of a refrigerator and sewing machine. Honda makes several gas powered silent portable generators. In fact, Honda's EU30i is hailed as "Super Silent" and has won awards. A cheaper, smaller generator is the Blue Max Gen 1250. For a 1250-watt machine, it is only 0 and is about as loud as an electric toothbrush.
