Range hoods come in both ducted and ductless varieties. The major difference between the two is that a ductless range hood, which is more common in most kitchens, uses a fan or blower motor to pull all the grease and smoke out of the air, then recirculates it.
A ducted range hood, on the other hand, vents all the bad air straight to the outside. If you’ve ever driven past a chain burger restaurant and seen dirty, smoky air pouring from what appears to be their chimney, this is a good example of what a ducted range hood does. By far, ducted range hoods are the most effective, but most residential kitchens don’t need something that powerful.
Plus, if you don’t already have ductwork built into your kitchen, and you don’t have the budget or the plans for adding it to your kitchen anytime soon, then a ductless hood is the way to go.
What follows is a more in-depth list of the pros and cons of ducted versus ductless range hoods. However, if you’re still not sure, or if you need help with installation, our team at Ambient Edge is here for you. Call us to schedule your free consultation.
Ducted vs. Ductless Range Hoods
While ducted range hoods are more common in commercial kitchens, in certain kitchen setups there may be no good place to install them. This is because you must connect a ducted range hood to, well, a duct, which then uses pipes to pull the grease, smoke, and odors out of your kitchen and deposit it outside. You can also install a ducted hood in your home if you have the kind of cooking habits that call for one.
In a home, though, ductless range hoods are essentially everywhere. That’s because their design is rather simple: pull out the dirty air from the kitchen, clean it, and put the clean air back into the kitchen. Their filters use either charcoal or carbon, which acts as a sponge for smoke and odorous particles. Ductless range hoods require regular maintenance for their filters, which you must clean and/or replace once or twice a year to keep your range hood operating efficiently.
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Features of Ducted vs. Ductless Range Hoods
Certain features of ducted and ductless range hoods may influence your decision on which one to buy as well.
Size
No matter which range hood you go with, you must ensure it is the right size for your range. If not, then it won’t be able to properly do its job and you’re just wasting your money. A range hood that’s too small won’t be able to pull all the smoke and humidity out of your kitchen. Go with something too large, and it may not fit the range properly – plus, it’ll just look silly.
Noise
Something many folks worry about with their range hoods is noise. Ductless range hoods are noisier than ducted range hoods because they use more power. Ducted range hoods have quieter fans, which don’t have to clean the air the way the fans in a ductless range hood do and use less power.
Ventilation
Ducted and ductless range hoods also vary in their ventilation capabilities. Ducted range hoods keep your kitchen cooler and dryer than ductless range hoods can. This is because the ducted range hood just pulls everything out of the kitchen all at once, while a ductless range hood recirculates the already hot air. The air isn’t cooled, just cleaner.
Ducted or Ductless? Ambient Edge Can Help You Figure It Out!
Generally, if you have a restaurant business or if you do a massive amount of at-home cooking at high heats and with spicy or odorous foods, a ducted range hood may be your best bet. Conversely, if you’re looking for a residential range hood, and you don’t do more than an average household’s fair share of cooking, then a ductless range hood may be better suited for your home – especially if you don’t already have the ductwork to support it.
If you’re unsure of which range hood is best for your kitchen, our team at Ambient Edge can help you make the right decision. We can be as involved or hands-off as you need us to be, from the point of purchase to the date of the install.
We’ll work with you on an affordable price for your budget, and you can enjoy a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our parts and labor. We can also advise you on the best steps to take if you already have a duct and want to go ductless, or vice versa. No matter what you need, we’ll help you find a way to make it work!
Give us a call today, and let’s work on improving your kitchen together!
