It’s common to catch a home design show and wish you had one of those stunning range hoods. And there are many benefits to owning a range hood. But, you may wonder, are these appliances actually worth it? Do you really need a range hood?
In this article, we will discuss what a range hood is, why they are important, and some reasons why you need a range hood in your kitchen right now.
What is a range hood?
A range hood is essential in the kitchen. It comprises a canopy, or another type of “capture zone,” and a fan or motor to extract any air pollution from the cooking area. The range hood captures and eliminates contaminated air at its source. This makes cleaning much easier. Range hoods can ventilate contaminated air outside the home or clean and recirculate it.
COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood
COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood
Why does not having a range hood put you at risk
It is well-documented that cooking releases irritants and potentially cancer-causing substances. In addition, it may put you in contact with harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde.
It’s not worth the danger to your health to cook without a range hood. Those odors will permeate every room in your home. Constant and prolonged exposure to these fumes has been linked to several health problems, such as irritation of the lungs, asthma attacks, nausea, diarrhea, and even lung cancer.
Six reasons why you need a range hood
Below are the top six reasons I believe everybody should own a range hood.
1. Improve air quality
One of the biggest reasons for having a range hood is to improve the air quality in your home. A range hood will remove hazardous air pollutants by filtering them out. This includes pollutants that come from cooking, such as grease, grime, smoke, and steam.
A range hood works by sucking up the polluted air and filtering it back into the air or out of the house, depending on whether you have a ducted system. Gas fumes like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde can build up in your home when you cook without a hood.
This will also improve the air quality by offering additional ventilation to the kitchen. Additionally, for anyone with allergies or asthma, proper ventilation helps to avoid the development of bacteria and mold, which is a huge plus.
2. Removes unwanted odors from the kitchen
Maybe you like to cook food that may not have a pleasing smell, or you are trying out a recipe that smells strong. A range hood will filter most offensive odors so that you can return to enjoying your cooking.
Having another method of removing odors gives you more leeway when experimenting with different cuisines. Consider all the things you’ve wanted to try but were hesitant to because you didn’t want your entire house to smell like dinner for days. There’s no need to be concerned once you have a range hood.
3. Keep your kitchen clean
You’ll be surprised at how difficult it can be to remove the sticky film from cabinets and countertops. A range hood filters out any airborne grease before it can settle and cause headaches when cleaning up. This is one of the biggest reasons you need a range hood. You’ve probably had to clean a kitchen you use daily. They make cleaning up much easier. And it will keep the kitchen cleaner for longer. I’m sure you prefer that over spending hours cleaning kitchen surfaces with chemicals and products, right?
4. Keeps the kitchen cool
A range hood can also reduce the heat in the kitchen. If you have ever spent a long time in the kitchen preparing a big meal or prepping for a party, you know how excruciatingly hot the kitchen can get. A range hood will work to cook off a meal by filtering out things like smoke and steam, which will cause the space to get warm, keeping the kitchen a little cooler.
5. Keep appliances working for longer
Cooking grease can travel throughout your kitchen, attaching itself to different appliances. This grease can end up clogging up the fans in your microwave, refrigerator, and any other appliances you may have around. Greasy and oily fans and filters can significantly reduce any appliance’s life span.
With a range hood, you can eliminate those grease particles before they get on your other appliances. As a result, you can keep your kitchen that much cleaner. So when you purchase a range hood, you’re not only doing yourself a favor but also expanding the lifespan of your other appliances.
6. Increase property value
Range Hoods can be an investment and an improvement to your home. As a result, range hoods are highly in demand. A range hood that is properly installed in the kitchen is something many homebuyers want. But they can be a hassle to install. So, if your home has one, it is instantly more desirable.
If you are in the market for a new range hood, check out this video from Review Tube to help you find the right one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about why you need a range hood.
What is CFM?
Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is a key metric for air handling systems and other systems where the air is transported from one place to another. The CFM rate shows how much air moves through a device or appliance over time based on how well it works for its intended purpose.
Do range hoods need to vent outside?
An external vent is not required for a range hood. Ductless hoods are available if you’d like a hood that doesn’t need ducting. Ducted range hoods, however, are much favored over ductless hoods.
Is it safe to cook without a range hood?
It is not safe to cook without a range hood. Everyday cooking produces harmful contaminants, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and more. Without proper ventilation, these toxins sit in your kitchen and move to other home areas. This can cause headaches, skin irritation, and nausea, among other health effects. Even if you rarely cook, consider buying a hood to keep your kitchen well-ventilated.
Conclusion
In summary, you need a range hood if you care for your kitchen, home, and family.
This article discussed a range hood, why it’s important, and why you need to invest in one today. Here are some key takeaways:
Key takeaways
- A range hood is essential in the kitchen.
- Without a range hood, grease and excess moisture from cooking can create a sticky film that is difficult to clean.
- There are two options here, ducted and ductless range hoods.
- Ducted range hoods are the most efficient vent hoods on the market. It can be connected to your HVAC duct, remove all the cooking odors and heavy grease from your kitchen, and move it to the outside.
- Ductless models are self-contained units, not connected to any ductwork or outside vent. Instead, these suck up contaminated air and pass it through a carbon or charcoal filter.
- Most of these overhead hoods include lighting that illuminates your cooktop or stovetop.
- Vent hoods help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
So, do you have a range hood in your home? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on kitchen ventilation. Thanks for reading, and stay safe.
