A range hood is a kitchen appliance usually mounted above a range or cooktop to filter, collect, or vent cooking grease and steam. Also called a vent or kitchen hood, a typical range hood can be fitted with lights or an integrated fan to illuminate and beautify your cooking area.
Generally, there are two types of kitchen range hoods, namely, ducted and ductless. The latter works on filtering the air and returning it to your kitchen. It is quite common in condominiums, apartments, and other spaces that don’t allow you to install ductwork. On the other hand, a ducted range hood draws air through ductwork that can run through your ceiling or wall and out of your home. Since it can filter out all dirt, grease, and chemicals from your air, a ducted range hood is the better option for your home.
Do You Need a Range Hood?
When cooking on a stove, food, grease, and smoke particles will naturally float in the air before evaporating or falling to the ground. This can affect air quality in the kitchen and result in odor buildup in your home. A range hood can prevent this from happening.
Depending on where you live, a vent hood could also be a requirement per existing local codes. However, a kitchen with a range hood can be beneficial even without a code requirement. This is true even if you don’t cook often.
How Important Is a Range Hood?
A range hood, although often overlooked, can be considered among the most essential appliances in your kitchen. Apart from eliminating smoke and odor from the kitchen, vent hoods can provide you with the following benefits:
1. Reduced Heat
Any professional chef will readily attest that cooking without a range hood can be uncomfortable. Smoke and heat will have nowhere to go except to the cook’s work area, which, of course, will make the cooking experience a lot more uncomfortable. This can also irritate the eyes, throat, nose, and skin. With a vent hood above the range, heat and smoke get dispersed quickly, allowing cool air to come in.
2. Improved Air Quality
The health benefits of kitchen ventilation should not be overlooked. The purpose of range hoods is to help produce better air quality for your kitchen. It is achieved by the removal of excessive moisture in the area. At the same time, vent hoods prevent sticky films from developing on surfaces, which can attract molds and bacteria. Kitchen hoods can also prove to be helpful for people with allergies or breathing problems.
A range hood can likewise help prevent cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Research shows that when the stove is used without turning on the range hood, there is a greater chance of carbon monoxide poisoning because the gas is produced in higher amounts.
3. Less Kitchen Odor
No one can deny that the smell of cooking food in the air can work up anyone’s appetite. Unfortunately, the smell can linger even after cleaning the kitchen and putting away all the smelly stuff. Kitchen range hoods can help make the place and nearby areas of your home smell fresher even after cooking.
4. More Cooking Experiments
Vent hoods allow you to try different cuisines since the generated heat and smell can be dispersed efficiently. Think about all the exotic recipes you have always wanted to make. A range hood can eliminate the smell of fish, fermented foods, spices, and other pungent ingredients by sucking up the smell and filtering the air that goes back to your kitchen.
5. Easier Cleaning
A kitchen with a range hood can make cleaning countertops and other surfaces easier after a cooking session. A ventilation hood prevents grease buildup, often reducing cleaning time by half.
6. Extra Lighting
Many modern air range hoods have options for overhead lighting, which can make your cooking area a bit brighter. A brighter kitchen will make it easier for you to cook food and clean up after cooking. Furthermore, that extra lighting will make your kitchen a lot more inviting.
7. Greater Comfort
The heat produced from cooking can cause discomfort in the kitchen if it’s not dispersed quickly. Range hoods can easily address this problem, eventually creating a pleasant environment for everyone in the kitchen.
8. Instant Kitchen Upgrade
A newly installed range hood is definitely an instant kitchen upgrade, especially if you’ve chosen a stylish one. This kitchen fixture comes in various types and designs, so you can choose the one that fits your kitchen and personal style.
9. Increased Home Value
Experts agree that an upgraded kitchen is a plus factor if you ever want to sell your house. A well-designed kitchen equipped with modern appliances like a unique range hood can increase your home’s resale potential. It’s an investment that can make a difference in how your kitchen looks and should provide you with a decent return.
Key Takeaway
Not all homes have a working range hood by choice or circumstance. This is unfortunate, given the many benefits you can gain if you consider installing a vent hood in your kitchen.
For example, it is not uncommon for air quality in the kitchen to improve when you have a range hood. This is great, not only for those who often stay in the kitchen, but also for those in nearby places in the home. With improved indoor air, the spread of harmful bacteria is arrested, allowing you to lead a healthier life. More importantly, kitchen range hoods help various appliances in the cooking area to function better, effectively preventing disasters like fire and water damage.
Contact Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation for any fire damage that started in your kitchen.
A fire in the kitchen is a common cause of fire damage. If this happens to you, the best move you can make is to contact Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation.
We are the experts when it comes to fire damage mitigation work. Our fire damage mitigation Colorado Springs team is highly experienced in the field and can provide you with top-notch mitigation service. Call now.
