There are two types of range hood ventilation systems - ducted and ductless (which can be called "recirculating").
Choosing your mode of ventilation is among the most important decisions you'll make about your new range hood, so it's important to consider the differences.
What is a recirculating hood?
A recirculating, or ductless, range hood protects your indoor air quality without the need for the external ducting used by a ducted range hood.
How does a ductless range hood work? In a recirculating range hood, the high-powered insert fan captures the kitchen exhaust, purifying the air through heavy-duty charcoal filters. This way, ductless range hoods improve the quality of your air without fully removing it from your home.
Are recirculating range hoods effective?
Ductless hoods are just as effective at removing harmful particulates from your air as ducted range hoods. That means that grease, dirt, and gases released by your range or the food it cooks will be safely removed from the air that goes into your lungs.
What is the difference between ducted and recirculating range hoods?
By removing the need for ductwork, a ductless hood is easier to install. This makes them especially popular for an island range hood, which can be more difficult to connect to ductwork.
A ducted range hood works by capturing pollutants in charcoal or carbon filters (as opposed to the mesh filters of ducted hoods). As such, these filters will need to be cleaned regularly, about once a month. For an in-depth guide on cleaning your range hood and its filters, check out our article on the topic.
Do cooker hoods need to be vented outside?
The hood above your cooking range doesn't need to be vented outside, but there are reasons people choose to do so.
Ducted range hoods can be made more powerful than ductless hoods because they can accommodate a larger remote fan.
If you're looking for a quiet range hood, a ductless range hood can be problematic because the insert fan is in the hood itself. A remote insert fan, in or at the exit of the ductwork, will be much quieter.
Do ductless range hoods remove smoke?
A ductless range hood works without the need to vent kitchen air to the outdoors. One drawback of this is that, while particulates and dangerous gases are removed, heat and moisture can remain in your kitchen's airspace.
The irritating particulates in smoke will be effectively filtered by a ductless range hood, but the heat could stick around.
The Benefits of Duct and Ductless Range Hoods
When it comes to choosing a duct or a ductless hood, there are some notable differences between the two. Ducted hoods are usually found in commercial kitchens or homes with larger cookers that generate greater amounts of fumes, smoke, or dirty air so it needs to be vented outside.
Ducted hoods are more efficient as they get rid of humidity and steam from the cooking area because they are not filtering and recirculating the air, instead, they are actually getting it out of the kitchen through ventilation. Ducted hoods can also be more functional in some ways, for example, there are some who believe ducted exhaust systems are able to run more quietly, but this completely depends on the brand, model, and size, as well as how well you look after your hood.
A ductless hood can be a more versatile addition to your kitchen. A ductless range hood filters and recirculates the air throughout the kitchen and can be more convenient in comparison to a ducted system, for example, some models can be programmed to turn on and off, which adds a greater sense of functionality to your home.
How to Choose the Best Hood for Your Kitchen
When deciding which is right for your kitchen, there are a number of components that you should address, including the following:
Your Budget
The range hood will cost money, but you also need to factor in additional expenses, such as the installation cost. You may also need to install new ductwork to accommodate the hood, which can ramp up the cost factor.
Additionally, if you plan on moving the range hood to another part of the kitchen, you will need to patch up any holes in its original location, or if you are looking to replace the hood, it could be easier to get the same type of hood as you did before, which can take a lot of the stress out of the equation.
Air Quality and Humidity
If you are looking to reduce humidity in your kitchen, a ducted hood is the best approach. On the other hand, if you are happy with a bit more noise and partially redistributing the air around the kitchen, a ductless hood is the option for you.
Some people do not necessarily think about air quality being a defining factor in the kitchen for a number of reasons, but many people are looking for less humidity in their kitchen environments. Humidity, over time, can contribute to excess moisture and therefore mold, and ideally, humidity should be kept to a bare minimum if you are looking to preserve the state of your kitchen in the long run.
Where the Hood Can Go
If you have ducts in your kitchen, you can choose between ducted or ductless hoods. However, if there are no ducts in the kitchen, you may be more limited in choice or will need to upgrade your kitchen to have ducts in place.
A ductless range hood is more flexible, but the place you plan on putting your cooktop is going to have a major impact on what sort of hood will serve your needs.
Ultimately, it's your choice. There's a lot to be said for ducted hoods as they are more efficient, but ductless hoods are also more flexible. It's always worth examining all of your options carefully and considering the advantages and disadvantages of each type so you can select the right hood that will not just benefit your kitchen aesthetically but in terms of location, budget, and how it will positively impact the air quality in your kitchen.
Enjoy Clean Air with a Reciruclating Range Hood
When looking for a solution to enjoy clean air in your home, our ductless range hoods can help you reap the benefits in so many ways. At CopperSmith, we ensure that you can fulfill your vision of your dream kitchen while using the items that add value.
A ductless range hood provides a number of benefits to your home that can improve the quality of your air without removing it while still providing aesthetic benefits. When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, there's a lot out there, but this is where we try to make the process easier for you, which is where our 3-D configurator comes into play. With any of our hoods, you can customize it so you can choose the finish, texture, width, height, and so much more, giving you the perfect solution for your home.
If you want to find out more information, get in contact with us for a quote, and let us help you get to work on your dream kitchen today.
World CopperSmith's ductless range hoods
Any range hood made by CopperSmith can be made ductless with our insert fan conversion kit. Enjoy clean air with a recirculating hood!
