Kitchen Hood Venting: Should it Vent Outside or Recirculate Air?
Those who live in very cold or warm climates know how important the temperature inside the house can be. This is usually controlled by a system like a HVAC in St.Paul, MN, and other similar areas. Few people seem to understand how smaller appliances like a kitchen hood can impact the indoor temperature, and how they can impact other areas of the indoor atmosphere. We have compiled some information about different types of kitchen hoods, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Recirculating Hoods
Recirculating hoods are essentially vent-less hoods. They try to recycle the air instead of directing it elsewhere. This is usually done with a fan that takes in air, circulates it through a charcoal filter, and then blows the air back into the home. There are different pros and cons that we’ve found when it comes to recirculating hoods. Those who like hoods to get rid of heat, moisture, and smell generally find that these hoods don’t work as well as vented hoods. This is because the charcoal is only able to filter out certain particles, and it’s not able to absorb heat or water. This means that the heat and moisture from cooking can linger in the house for quite a while. These hoods are also minimally effective when it comes to reducing smells. They are able to filter scents decently, but the fan usually requires a long running time to continually pass air through the charcoal. Replacing the charcoal often can help increase the efficiency of smell removal. The price on these hoods usually appeals to our customers more than the other options, because they have a relatively low price range.
Vented Hoods
Vented hoods are often considered the better choice because they are very effective at what they do. Of course, this style does come with a heavier price tag. We suggest this type of hood for those who like to get rid of excessive heat and moisture in the kitchen. Because these vents feed directly outside, they are better at keeping houses cool during the warm months after cooking. This hood is not always an option for those who are replacing a recirculating hood, because it has to have a vent that releases air outside. Installing a vent when there wasn’t one previously present can be expensive, but it’s possible. Vented hoods can come in a variety of styles, shapes, colors, and can come with very different power ratings. Some vented hoods can intake air very quickly while others vent the air slower. There are also different options for how these hoods are powered. Sometimes these hoods are powered by an HVAC system, while others have their own motor that powers them. The biggest downside to these kitchen hoods is definitely the price when compared to recirculating hoods.
Deciding what kind of kitchen hood to install in a kitchen can be tricky. Both vented hoods and recirculating hoods can be good options for different people. We suggest you find a retailer that has some hoods available for you to look at and possibly try before making a final decision. No matter what kind of hood you have, knowing more about kitchen hoods and how they work is knowledge that can benefit every homeowner.