What is the difference between vented and unvented range hoods

Many higher end ranges have powerful CFMs with only Sones. When it comes to a vented versus an unvented hood, the choice is easy! Facebook icon. LinkedIn icon. Pinterest icon. Twitter icon. A vented hood , sometimes called a ducted hood, sends the grease, moisture, and air outside of your home through the wall or roof. An unvented hood filters the air through a carbon filter and recirculates the air inside your kitchen.

You are either willing to pay for the possible venting or are not. The ONLY thing anyone can say is a recirculating quality hood will be better, and better looking than a microwave over a range. Size of cooking area is personal. If you don't need it, don't buy it. If you combine a second oven, with a microwave on the wall?

I am sure you will enjoy your 30 inch range top. The hood issue? As above. Most important is this is an issue , along with layout, and all the functions associated with it, that demand help up front and on site.

Renovating is expensive, and a "cabinet salesman" Big mistakes or a result you are not happy with on a long term basis will render any "savings" from avoiding this truth? No savings at all. Jan, thank you for replying.

I am sorry if I commented on the wrong site Pro? I have never asked a question on here, I only read alot! I honestly do not have a kitchen "designer" and I don't really know of any in the area. We don't live in the "boonies" but, not near great access to a professional either. I agree about cabinet salesmen, and I don't want to make a mistake either. To vent or not to vent island range.

I have a 40" range, what size should the vent hood be? Who installs the ducting for bath vents, range vents and dryer vents? Lisa, if you go to a good cabinet showroom, you can often get a designer with the cabinet. In our case, the "salesman" was our designer but boy, she was good. Maybe post a floor plan to see if there is a solution to the venting problem since you are remodeling.

And yes a KD not a salesperson is a much better choice and my clients tell me worth every penny. We're still talking about having it done, but with cabinets installed, backsplash up, etc. Don't make the same mistake I did, spend an extra G, vent that sucker outdoors, have it done professionally and take over your kitchen. The consensus in this forum is that recirculating hoods are generally not much better than a noise-generator.

And over-the-range microwave hoods tend to be even worse. So, I am not at all surprised that you are not particularly happy with your current solution. This means, in an ideal situation, you would get a vented hood that has about three inches overhang on each side i. It also should be sufficiently deep front-to-back so that there is complete overlap with the front burners.

As far as performance is concerned, you need at least 90 CFM per square foot hood opening. This gets you to about CFM for a typical residential hood. As you go up with CFM, the need for heated? Exact details depend on where you live; building codes differ here.

It also depends on your climate. If you always keep windows open, then MUA is less critical. On the other hand, if you have other gas appliances, and if your house's envelope is well-sealed, then insufficient MUA can be a safety risk, as the hood will cause backdraft of exhaust gases.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke. Having said all of the above, sometimes it simply isn't possible to install a vented hood. If that's your situation, then there really aren't too many alternatives.

From reports in this forum, the only recirculating hood that actually works is made by VentAHood. It's an impressive product. But it's big. And it's expensive. My wife works at Lowe's and bought us a replacement Samsung microwave that ducts directly outside. The vent is horrible. Do not skimp on ventilation unless you want all your guests to know you had fried fish for dinner last night. I actually learned that by reading online, because the "cabinet" guy told me I do not need a hood bigger than my stove!

So much wrong information! Range hoods are vented up through the roof or out through an exterior wall. Look for a metal duct going through the cabinets above or an exhaust cap on the exterior wall behind the range hood. You should feel air being blown out of the exhaust cap on the roof or wall when the fan is running. Nearly all residential range hoods can be installed as recirculating or vented.

These are rectangular or circular panels that can be removed to allow for a duct to be attached above or behind the hood. If you are converting an existing recirculating range hood to be vented, the recirculating exhaust location will need to be closed. The location is typically at forehead height.

Instead of air blowing out at your forehead, it needs to be sent through the newly installed vent to the outside. If you are purchasing a new vented range hood, select a fan that is rated for pulling a minimum of cubic feet per minute CFM and a maximum of CFM. Too much ventilation from a residential range hood can cause problems, such as a gas fireplace backdrafting.

Get product recommendations from friends and heed customer reviews. Microwaves are also available as vented range hoods. Range hood ducts should be sheet metal and routed as short and straight as possible.

Ducted hoods are quite common in commercial kitchens, but depending on your kitchen and cooking habits, this kind of hood might be just what you need for your new home range. Ductless hoods can be installed almost anywhere. These hoods operate by filtering the air they suck in and then blowing it back out into the room, essentially using a recirculation process. The filter often contains activated carbon or charcoal which helps to remove odor and smoke particles from the air, which can then be cleanly recirculated back throughout the kitchen.

Of course, with the ductless model, it may be necessary to clean or change the activated charcoal filter about once or twice a year. This cleaning and replacement from time to time is necessary for your range hood to work most efficiently.

By weighing the various advantages and disadvantages of each type of hood, you can better decide which one is most suitable for your particular kitchen. Ducted hoods are commonly found in commercial kitchens or homes that have larger ranges that tend to generate greater amounts of smoke, fumes or dirty air that should be vented outside. Ducted hoods tend to be more efficient for getting rid of humidity and steam from the cooking area due to the fact they are not actually filtering and recirculating the air, but are instead venting it out of the kitchen completely.

Some people claim that ducted exhaust systems run more efficiently, and tend to me more quiet. This is debatable, however, as efficiency and noise production will differ depending on the brand, size, model and how well you take care of your range hood.

One of the few drawbacks of a ducted hood is that it must be installed in an area where there is a duct system that goes from inside the kitchen to the exterior of the home or building. This can potentially limit the areas in the kitchen where you can actually position your range and hood.

A ductless hood has the advantage of being a bit more versatile and can be installed just about anywhere you please.

Because a ductless range hood merely filters and then recirculates air throughout the kitchen, you do not need to worry about installing it near any pipe or ducts that reach the outside.

In this way, a ductless hood can be more convenient than a ducted system, at least in regard to the installation process. Some ductless models even run on timers and can be programmed to turn on or off automatically. The ductless range hoods are not without their disadvantages, unfortunately.

For this type of hood, due to the fact that it recirculates air instead of pulling in new air or venting out stale and dirty air, your kitchen may become fairly humid. The decibel levels of a ductless hood may be a bit higher than ducted exhaust systems due to the fact that they often require much more fan power. Again, this will be dependent on many factors, including the brand, size and model you choose. It is also important to remember that the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly for optimum performance.

This may mean an ongoing cost for the homeowner. To choose which of these two types of hoods is right for your kitchen, you really need to examine your work space, your cooking style, and your personal preferences. You might have to mull over a few important questions regarding your kitchen situation before you pick the right range hood.

If there are ducts in your kitchen, then you may be able to choose between ducted or ductless range hoods. If you do not have ducts in your kitchen, you may be limited to going ductless or paying to have ducts installed in your home. Remember, a ductless range hood will generally be more flexible. Where you plan on putting your range or cooktop will likely determine what type of range hood you can have. With this question, there should be a clear answer. If having a humid kitchen with recirculating air is out of the question, then you would be better off going with a ducted hood.

If you are fine with recirculating air and a little more noise, then you will be fine with a ductless hood. Some people are fine with recirculating air while others may be uncomfortable with it. The answer to this question should give you a clear indication as to whether a ducted or ductless hood is best for your home. The range and range hood are going to cost money, but you also need to consider the price of installation.