Collection: Duct Range Hood

FAQ for Duct Range Hood:

Q: What are the undeniable benefits of a ducted hood?
A: Ducted range hoods are the most effective type because they remove all pollutants— grease, smoke, odors, heat, and moisture— from your home entirely. This helps keep your kitchen cooler, prevents grease buildup on surfaces, and protects your cabinets and walls from moisture damage over time.

Q: What size duct should I use for my hood?
A: The duct size is critical and should match the outlet size of your hood (common sizes are 6", 7", or 8" round). Never reduce the duct size, as it creates back-pressure, drastically reduces airflow (CFM), increases noise, and strains the motor. If anything, a slightly larger, smoother duct is better.

Q: Is rigid ducting better than flexible duct?
A: Yes, always. Rigid metal ductwork (galvanized or aluminum) provides the smoothest path for airflow, maximizing your hood's power and minimizing noise. Flexible duct (the accordion-style foil tube) creates tremendous internal resistance due to its ribbed interior, which can cut your hood's effective CFM by 50% or more and is not recommended.

Q: How long can my duct run be?
A: The shorter and straighter the duct run, the better. Each elbow (90-degree turn) in the ductwork is equivalent to adding about 15 feet of straight duct in terms of airflow resistance. For optimal performance, keep the total run as short as possible with minimal bends. The hood's manual will often specify a maximum equivalent duct length.

Q: Can I vent my range hood into the attic?
A: Absolutely not. Venting a kitchen hood into an attic, crawlspace, garage, or between walls is a major code violation and creates serious hazards: it deposits flammable grease in hidden spaces, promotes mold growth from moisture, and can cause structural damage. All ducted hoods must vent directly to the outdoors.