According to research from this next paper in our Acoustics in the Sun blog series, including sound masking in your building design for the purposes of speech privacy indeed reduces your carbon footprint. If that is something that interests you, then read on. The paper, titled Balancing Speech Privacy and Embodied Carbon Reduction in Building Design, by Vahid Alamshah, Colin O’Connor and Neil Bodsworth was presented by Vahid Alamshah.
The carbon emission problem
Many businesses including builders are subject to carbon targets imposed by government and non-government bodies. As a result, it is necessary for them to try and reduce their “carbon footprint”. Part of this reduction can occur during building design. For example, according to the paper, 37% of carbon emissions are caused by building materials. Partitions and sound insulations materials are carbon footprint heavy. Indeed the paper suggests there is an up to 50% increase in one’s carbon footprint, just by using these materials.
Sound masking carbon solution
Sound masking is generally a low-carbon prospect for builders. With one small speaker placed at five-metre centres, and one small rack-mounted unit that draws on average the same power as a computer, it’s a low-carbon solution to speech privacy. This is no surprise to us because Soundmask systems have been used in green-rated buildings from the beginning.
The presenter was at pains to point out that there is currently no carbon footprint data for Australia. So the data with which they’re working is at this point based on overseas studies. Similarly, no sound masking businesses (including ours) have done the paperwork necessary to become certified. It remains to be seen whether any will.
Non-carbon benefits
Thankfully the presenter also pointed out the regardless of whether the carbon efficiency paperwork has been filled in, sound masking is an excellent solution to productivity and wellbeing, as well as being an adaptable, low-cost solution. The paper presented the following research to support that:
Sound masking has been found to improve productivity and well-being by reducing cognitive load and improve privacy whilst creating a more consistent auditory environment (Bergefurt, Appel-Meulenbroek, & Arentze, 2024) (Hongisto, Varjo, Leppämäki, Oliva, & Hyönä, 2016) (Haapakangas, Hongisto, Kokko, & Keränen, 2014) (Jahncke, Hygge, Halin, Green, & Dimberg, 2011). Haapakangas et al. (2014) demonstrated that reducing speech intelligibility by sound masking in open-plan offices can improve cognitive performance by minimising the disruptive effects of background noise. A study carried out by Jahncke et al. (2011) found that sound-masked environments can enhance memory, comprehension, and reduce fatigue.
Conclusion
There is zero harm taking advantage of the benefits of a sound masking system in your building design. And there may even be a large reduction in your carbon footprint if that’s something that is important to your business.