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May 18, 2009

Should you use a ducted or ductless range hood?

If you take a look in any kitchen, no matter if they are domestic or commercial, you will most likely find a range hood above the kitchen stove. Range hoods are important especially during cooking, as it keeps the kitchen well vented, and keeps unwanted odors from spreading to other parts of the house or building. Also, range hoods ensure that the kitchen does not become too greasy during cooking.

It is because of these reasons, that range hoods have become a vital component of any well-designed kitchen. Having a range hood in the kitchen gives the individuals who are cooking, a certain level of comfort needed in order to cook for long periods of time.

In the market today, there is an extremely wide variety of range hoods, all of which are built to cater to different needs, specifications and requirements. Some range hoods are made of special non-stick materials, which make relatively easy to clean, whereas others are designed to be stored away when not in use. In addition, you will also be able to find different range hoods that have been designed to suit specific designs and layouts of kitchen, making it relatively easy to find a range hood that will suit your needs.

Once you begin to look around for a range hood that will fit in your kitchen, it will come to your discovery that there are two different types of range hoods. Most range hoods are separated into two main categories: ducted range hoods, and ductless range hoods. It is imperative that you know the difference between these two, as it will help you make a well informed decision, on the type of range hood to buy or install.

For ducted hoods, you will need to have a connecting exhaust duct to blow the fumes from the kitchen, out into an open space that is normally outside the house. With ducted range hoods, you get very efficient venting of unnecessary fumes, but depending on the overall layout of your kitchen, might be very troublesome to install.

Ductless range hoods, on the other hand, do not require any ventilation shaft or duct, which is why it is popular among domestic kitchen environments. The only necessary requirement would be a power point that will power the ventilation fans in the range hood. However, with a ductless range hood, the unwanted fumes are simply isolated towards an area that is further away from the stove.

Despite the ease of installing a ductless range hoods, they are often considered to be very inefficient. However, there are certain circumstances that might leave an individual without a choice, but to use a ductless range hood. This often happens when you do not have enough space in the kitchen for a ducted range hood, or if the design and layout of the kitchen does not suit traditional range hoods that require a ventilation duct.

Now that you have understood the key differences between a ducted and a ductless range hood, you should weigh the differences and consider your own personal requirements. After which, you should be able to make a good decision regarding your range hood.

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Filed under kitchen appliances by Jennifer Macaire

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