Cibes EcoSilent Review

In 2019, the Cibes Lift Group announced the launch of a 3rd generation of screw-driven lifts: the EcoSilent system. It boasted better performance across the board, be it in power consumption, sound, and general eco-friendliness. This improvement however, came at an extra price. Which is why today we want to review the EcoSilent system and determine… Is it worth the cost?

Some background: The 3 Screw-Drive Generations

Screw-drive is a very old technology (the first one was used by Catherine the Great, Tsarina of Russia!) but really took off in the early 90s with the first generation: mechanical lifts. At that time, screw-driven home lifts were like cars from the 80s. They had little to no electronics, with mostly mechanical and analog functions. A simple and straightforward machine.

In 2017 however, Cibes Lift Group announced the launch of a radically different system. This ushered in the second generation of lifts: CiCon, the smart screw-driven home lift. Thanks to CiCon, the lift ran on software. It was able to record faults, reset itself, provide warnings to the user and operate at a higher level of safety (SIL-3 Certification). This led to a much smoother operation. Its diagnostics and fault record led to faster and more precise repairs than ever. The second generation, in essence, was the equivalent of when cars started to appear with software and touchscreens.

Which is why it came as a surprise when, barely 2 years later, CLG introduced a 3rd generation, while most other screw-driven companies were still at generation 1. EcoSilent, this 3rd gen home lift, was billed as the performance lift, and designed to operate on top of the CiCon system. To borrow a car analogy, it is the equivalent of a Mercedes AMG. Take a Mercedes and swap out a few parts to drastically improve performance.

The Review aka The Four Lessers

As we will show in this review, the easy way to understand EcoSilent is through the Four Lessers: Less Noise, Less Electricity, Less Oil and Less Maintenance.

• Less Noise: this was a nifty little innovation. A silent box with specialized acoustic padding set around the motor. Not only does it reduce sound by 10 decibels (a factor of 10X from original levels!) but it also improves the aesthetics of the home lift.

• Less Electricity: screw-driven lifts have never been energy hogs, usually operating on 2.2 kW motors. But with EcoSilent, Cibes Lift Group took it one step further. It now offers a 1.5 kW motor, or a reduction in energy consumption of close to 30%.

• Less Oil: unlike hydraulic, screw-driven lifts use very little oil – a few mL on the screw, and some oil on the guiderails for smooth operation. EcoSilent however, replaced the basic metal shoe with a sophisticated guiderail roller. This created a smoother ride with no need for any oil whatsoever! Better for the environment, and better for the home!

• Less Maintenance: we will let the numbers speak for themselves: only 1 maintenance per year with EcoSilent versus 2-3 without!

Is the Cibes EcoSilent Worth It?

The EcoSilent upgrade is not cheap. However, home lift buyers need to remember that the upfront cost is only a part of the equation. While it may be expensive up front, it also means 30% less electricity bill and 50% less maintenance for 20 years or more. On those numbers alone, choosing EcoSilent is a no-brainer.

However, this review would argue that the best choice is actually to go for the premium home lift range of Cibes Lift Group. Indeed, EcoSilent is often included for FREE in the brands’ more premium models, such as Cibes’ Voyager series or Kalea’s Kosmos series.

So is it worth it? Yes, especially if you choose the higher end models, which end up paying for themselves thanks to the savings from EcoSilent over the long term.

Cibes EcoSilent and Traveling

One last point worth mentioning: EcoSilent is an extremely valuable upgrade for long-term travelers, or lifts in vacation homes. Indeed, the majority of screw driven home lifts require oil on the guiderails to operate.

This means that if the lift is left without operation for a month (during, for example, a trip abroad), the oil will dry. You will then need to bring in a technician to perform a maintenance and add oil on the guiderails before being able to use the lift again.

For EcoSilent however, this becomes a non-issue. The only part of the lift using oil is the screw, which comes with a self-lubricating system. Simply let the lift run once after a vacation, and it is good to use! This is particularly true for outdoor lifts in Cambodia!

Review score for EcoSilent: 9/10.

We hope this review has come in handy! Let us know if you opted for an EcoSilent in the comments below!