Vented Hood vs Unvented Hood

[Bill & Melissa Ross]

I need to make a decision on the hood above my stove. The contractor wants
it to be a unvented hood (recirculate filtered air) and other people say it
should be vented to the outside. Any opinons?

[GraigF]

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS GO WITH AVENTED HOOD ;

[Rusty]

Unless there is some logistical problem preventing a vent to the
outside, my experience is that a vented hood is far better than a
recirculating one. If you are in a very cold climate you may want
to specify that the fan is fitted with a self closing flap to
prevent cold air coming in when the fan is off. It costs only cents
extra.

The trouble with a recirculating hood is that it will only remove
some of the smell of cooking if the filter is clean and oiled
according to the makers instructions. If there is a carbon filter,
it has to be replaced after a few hours of fan running time and is
eventually forgotten or removed completely.

[Ecnerwal]

Bill & Melissa Ross wrote:
>
> I need to make a decision on the hood above my stove. The contractor wants
> it to be a unvented hood (recirculate filtered air) and other people say it
> should be vented to the outside. Any opinons?

Unvented hoods are only installed by people who won't be forced to use
them, IME. Unvented hoods are easy and cheap to install (no ductwork).
They are also useless, or so close to useless as to make no practical
difference.

No filter will remove steam. All filters I've ever seen in hoods won't
remove smoke (jenn-air ranges with electrostatic filters in the range
which pull air down and through do seem to remove smoke fairly well, if
properly maintined).

Your present contractor will now charge you extra, claiming he bid the
job on an unvented hood, despite the fact that unvented hoods are
useless, and no reasonable person would consider one acceptable.

[fst...@my-deja.com]

I absolutely agree with Ecnerwal. I could not have said it any better.

In article <386AA4...@SOuthernVERmont.NET>,

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Lansing ConcreteGuy]

I agree 100% as well sir.....

I have been in the contracting business over 40 years...Even instructed
at CMHC/CHBA work shops on the R-2000 homes in Canada,etc...I have a
ventaltion lic. to do HRV's,etc, in these homes....I would
never....never put in a unvented range hood...and only one the the fan
ran so quiet you would not mine it being used as well...We have them up
here that do this as well...If a contractor prices his house with a
unvented hood he would have to write that clearly in his contract and
spec.lists as to what he is NOT giving..or he should give it at not
extra charge and pay for the lesson and experience....Some times you may
have to plan the kitchen better and or move where the stove is going to
be but....My home has a vent that goes right outside...so should
your's...

Lansing

Take the smile ;-) and be happy
the world needs you.... happy...:-)
Being down is my job.....

Lansing ..remove the X to e-mail
or lsm...@cbnet.ns.ca

no spamers allowed....

[Frank Hendsbee]

AGREED! I install and service HRV's and unvented is 99.99% a waste of money
and effort. Think! Why have a range hood?
Lansing ConcreteGuy wrote in message
<387ba873...@nr1.ottawa.istar.net>...

[James E. Shewbert]

I absolutely agree that the hood should be vented -- but I'm curious: how do
you deal with the issue of make up air? When the outdoor temperature is
extreme, it puts quite a load on the heating or air conditioning system.
I've seen some elaborate systems such as those used in restaurants, but has
anybody come up with a simple solution?

James