EmailAlthough all range hoods perform the same basic function -- removing smoke, steam, heat and cooking odors from the kitchen -- they are perhaps the most diverse of all home appliances. Downdraft and slide-in range hoods are almost invisible when not in use, whereas wall-mounted and island chimney models may be nearly as large as the range itself. While an enormous range hood may sound like an eyesore, many modern designs are stylish enough to serve as the focal point of the kitchen.
Range hood prices, which vary from $40 to more than $4,000, tend to reflect aesthetics and installation type more than performance. That's not to say that all range hoods are similarly effective -- performance varies a great deal between individual models -- but you can find a range hood that works well on almost any budget. Extra features like quiet operation, several fan speeds and halogen lighting add to price, but the main difference between a $300 range hood and a $3,000 range hood is appearance.
Manufacturers often promote how much air a range hood pulls out of the house (measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute) as an indication of its effectiveness, but this can be misleading. There's little evidence that high-CFM range hoods are more effective, and there are good reasons for most homeowners to avoid them. They're noisy -- intolerably so, according to some owners -- and they consume much more energy than typical range hoods. Unless you live in an especially mild climate, a high-CFM range hood can also work against your central air or furnace system by venting heated or cooled air out of the house.
Experts say that airflow rates over 600 CFM can lead to a hazardous condition called backdrafting in newer, tightly sealed homes. Backdrafting occurs when range hoods remove so much air from the house that it becomes depressurized. When this happens, the range hood's fans can wind up pulling exhaust gases from fireplaces, wood stoves and even gas-powered appliances. Homeowners say this commonly causes ashes from a fireplace or wood stove to drift through the air, but according to the American Lung Association, backdrafting also creates a safety hazard by elevating carbon monoxide levels. If you choose a high-CFM range hood, the risk of backdrafting can be reduced by fully opening a kitchen window or by having a replacement air system installed.
Reviewers say the following about shopping for a range hood:
- Measure before you buy. The range hood (or its canopy) should be at least as wide as your range or cooktop to ensure adequate coverage for all burners. Wall-mounted and island chimney range hoods are usually designed for ceilings 8 feet high, and may require modification if yours is higher or lower than this.
- Don't put too much emphasis on airflow. Light cooking with a typical four-burner range doesn't require more than about 150 CFM for adequate ventilation, and over 300 CFM is rarely necessary. If your range is installed in an island, however, a high-CFM range hood is a good idea.
- Range hood noise is measured in sones rather than decibels. One sone is about as loud as a running refrigerator, and sones increase linearly rather than exponentially like decibels.
- Look for a range hood with good lighting. One of the most common complaints from owners is inadequate lighting, especially in kitchens where the range is against a wall. Halogen lighting is brighter than incandescent or fluorescent, and four or more bulbs provide even illumination.
- A stylish wall-mounted or island chimney range hood can improve your home's resale value. Real estate agents say that prospective buyers focus on the kitchen more than any other room, and modern appliances increase asking price. According to Remodeling magazine's annual cost vs. value analysis, updating your kitchen will add about 80 percent of the expense to your home's value.
- Recirculating and downdraft range hoods are usually a poor value. Neither is as effective as a unit that vents outside through the ceiling. However, either type is better than no range hood at all.
- Avoid painted metal finishes. These tend to scratch easily and show wear, so if you want a colored range hood, look for one with a porcelain enamel finish. Stainless steel is even more durable, but requires frequent cleaning to prevent visible fingerprints and smudges. Solid copper range hoods are attractive and allegedly inhibit surface bacterial growth, but they cost much more than hoods made from other materials.
- Stainless-steel filters last longer and are easier to clean. Inexpensive range hoods usually include aluminum mesh filters, which don't last as long and sometimes need to be cleaned by hand. If you fry food a lot, stainless-steel baffle filters are more convenient.
Performance and attractiveness are what most homeowners focus on when buying range hoods, but it's even more important to buy a range hood you'll use consistently. Experts say that leaving the range hood off while cooking -- especially if you have a gas range -- contributes to carbon monoxide buildup, reduced air quality and damage to kitchen cabinets. Local building codes often require a kitchen ventilation system to be installed for safety reasons. But owner comments at review sites and online forums indicate that many people use their range hood rarely -- if at all -- because it's too loud or they forget to turn it on.
Fortunately, range hoods are becoming quieter; many aren't much louder than a refrigerator on the lowest fan setting. Ultra-quiet models tend to be more expensive, but some are nearly silent, producing less than half a sone. Some range hoods also offer features to help forgetful cooks, such as automatically turning on when heat, steam or smoke is detected. Others have timers that can be set to turn the range hood off when the recommended 15 minutes after cooking has elapsed.