How do range hoods vent

A vented hood that removes steam, smoke, heat, and cooking odors is the best way to keep your kitchen clean, since it gets rid of grease particles that would otherwise accumulate on your walls and cabinets. When a vented hood is mounted under the cabinet or on a wall, the duct has to run through or behind the cabinets to an outer wall.

For a ceiling-mounted or island range hood, the duct must run above the ceiling. You may have to add a booster fan in these cases. A ductless range hood can be mounted anywhere, which saves money. There are a number of factors to weigh, depending on the size and layout of your kitchen, and the type of cooking you do. Some things to consider:. As always, look for product reviews on consumer websites, and read user comments on the retail sites before you buy.

To be sure, an unvented hood is better than no kitchen ventilation system at all. And depending on the type and amount of cooking you do, it might fit your needs just fine. Search for:. What are the different types of range hoods? Downdraft Systems Another type of range ventilation is the downdraft system, which sits beside or behind the stovetop and sucks air down to a duct that runs under the floor.

Is a vented range hood better than an unvented one? Experts recommend cleaning the filters after every 30 hours of use—typically every month or two—to keep a hood running smoothly. Note: Vent hoods over cfm require that makeup air be brought in from the outside when the unit is on. This air can come from a supply fan, a motorized damper, or another source. Ducted or not? Venting the polluted air out of your house is always preferable to recirculating it.

Recirculating fans use charcoal filters to clean the air and release it back into the house when ducting to the outside is impossible, as in many apartment buildings. When it's the only option, a recirculating hood is better than no ventilation at all, but this type should never be used with pro-style appliances. Think about power. The amount of air the blower moves, measured in cubic feet per minute cfm , is one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a hood.

The larger and more powerful your burners are, the more cfm you need. Measure it right. A hood should be at least as wide as your cooking surface, but an extra 3 inches on each side can improve efficiency. The depth should cover the back burners and at least half of the front burners, though full coverage is best.

The height at which the hood hangs above your cooktop will also affect how well it works. A wall- or island-mount should be about 30 inches above the cooktop, while undercabinet-mounts, typically less powerful and with smaller ducts, should sit 24 inches above the range. If you want to place the hood higher than recommended, you'll need a wider unit—extending 3 inches beyond both sides of the range—and more cfm to compensate.

See "Calculator" section right below. Consider the noise. To avoid a loud fan, check the sones 1 sone equals about 40 decibels.

A fan set on low typically comes in under 1 sone, but high speeds can jump to 10 or more. For a quieter unit, look for one that's 6 or fewer sones at cfm. As a general rule, calculate cfm for every linear foot of cooking surface.

For pro-style ranges, the formula is cfm for every 10, BTUs your appliance puts out. Other factors come into play as well. For every 3 inches a hood exceeds the suggested height above the cooktop, add cfm.

Island hoods require extra cfm to compensate for cross drafts, so calculate cfm per linear foot for conventional cooktops; add an additional cfm to the pro-range estimate.

And consider how you cook. If you rarely grill or stir-fry at high heat, you may be able to go with a lower cfm than recommended. Shown: A built-in shelf and rails hold spices and utensils. This type takes up less visual space but cuts down on storage if the duct runs through the upper cabinet. Some hoods sit flush below cabinetry and slide out when needed. Vented combination microwave hoods can also save space, though they're less powerful.

A stainless-steel unit with exposed ductwork plays well with the commercial-kitchen look, but there are options in a variety of shapes and materials to suit any style.

Usually hung above an island, it can be pricey because it's finished on all sides. Be aware: Since these units tend to be more powerful, some with internal blowers can be very noisy. This slim vent retracts behind the cooktop into the cabinet below.

This type tends to be less effective since it pulls rising smoke down, though some climb to 14 inches for better capture. Not recommended for high-BTU cooktops. This wall-hung type pulls in smoke through vents around its edges instead of the center, like a traditional hood.

On The House. April Whether you own a gas or electric range, assess your current range hood by answering the following questions: Does the range hood vent outside?

Does the range hood suck enough air? Can the existing range hood be vented? Improving a range hood is a great consideration during any kitchen remodel project. About the Author Hannah McKenzie is a residential building science consultant at Advanced Energy in Raleigh who specializes in working with nonprofit developers like Habitat for Humanity to make new affordable housing energy efficient.

Comments 3. I am installing a hood and microwave combo, have a vent duct, and can go either way. Is there much of a loss, even when the fan isn't operating.

Hi, Bob. We were able to get you an answer to your question from our friends at Advanced Energy. I need a range hood for bakery Hussain Ali Haidari April 07, reply. Leave a comment You are commenting as guest. Connect with Carolina Country And get a free digital cookbook! Energy Efficiency Tip. Get More Tips. Share Tweet Pin Share Email.