The Pros And Cons Of A Non-Ducted Range Hood

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A range hood, also called a ventilation hood, is designed to clear heat, odors and smoke from the kitchen. This helps to prevent smells from lingering in your home, prevents the smoke from setting off your fire detector, and keeps the air in your kitchen from becoming too smoky while you cook. If you are building a new home or are remodeling your kitchen, you will have to determine whether you want a ducted or non-ducted range hood. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Learning about these advantages and disadvantages may help guide you to the option that makes more sense for you. Read on to learn the pros and cons of non-ducted range hoods. 

The Cons Of A Non-Ducted Range Hood

• They Don't Effectively Remove Heat

A non-ducted range hood typically filters and recirculates air, compared to a ducted hood which carries air outside. Because the air is filtered and recirculated, a non-ducted hood cannot remove heat from your kitchen as effectively as a ducted range hood. If temperature control is an important factor, a ducted hood may be the better option for you. 

• They Require More Maintenance

The other disadvantage to a non-ducted range hood is that they require more maintenance than a ducted version. The filter needs to be regularly cleaned and replaced or odors and smoke may not be cleaned from the air when the unit runs. If you want a low maintenance choice, this is not it. 

The Pros Of A Non-Ducted Range Hood

• They Are Cheaper to Install

One of the major benefits to a non-ducted range hood is that they are cheaper to install. Ducted range hoods need to have ducts installed with them to carry air out of the house. This increases the installation costs significantly. If you are on a budget, this may be a better choice for you. 

• They Can Be Installed Anywhere in a Kitchen

The other advantage to non-ducted range hoods is that they can be installed anywhere in the kitchen. This allows you to have the layout your prefer. Ducted range hoods can only be positioned on certain walls, typically those that serve as both an interior and exterior wall. This limits your layout options for the kitchen or may cause your stove to be placed on a wall that you don't want. You don't have these restrictions with non-ducted range hoods. 

The decision to install a ducted or non-ducted range hood typically comes down to the amount of space in your kitchen, your preferred layout and your budget. Taking all of these factors into account will help you decide which type of range hood provides you with the kitchen ventilation you need. 

27 September 2017