What Are Ductless or recirculating Range Hoods?
Ductless hoods may be installed anywhere. Since they do not need to vent to your exterior of the home and are ductless, you don’t need to install them where there’s a duct. These hoods operate by filtering the air they suck in and then blowing it back out into the room, necessarily using a recirculation procedure. The filter contains carbon and charcoal which eliminate odor and smoke particles from the air, which can be recirculated back through the kitchen.
Obviously, with the ductless model, it can be essential to clean or change the activated charcoal filter about once or twice a year. This cleaning and replacement from time to time are essential for your range hood to work more effectively.
Do Recirculating Range Hoods Actually Work?
Yes. A recirculating range hood works beautifully, the same way as a ducted range hood. The main difference is that rather than the air getting exhausted to the outside, it passes through a filter, and then recirculated back into the house. The exhaust vents are present at the range hood’s top or on the side, and when you turn on the range hood, you can feel that the air that is exhausted back into the room. However, recirculating range hoods aren’t as effective as ducted range hoods that vent kitchen air to the outside of your house. Ductless range hoods utilize charcoal filters which trap most grease and odors but aren’t as efficient as the stainless-steel baffle and mesh filters of ducted range hoods.
How does a ductless range hood work?
A ductless range hood works by sucking greasy kitchen air through mesh and baffle filters. Once the air passes via these filters, it moves through carbon filters that can trap dirt and then neutralize strong cooking odors. Ductless range hoods improve your indoor air quality, but they aren’t as efficient as ducted range hoods.
Ductless Range Hoods: The Good & Bad
A ductless hood has the benefit of being a bit more versatile and may be installed almost anywhere. Because a ductless range hood merely filters and then recirculates air through the kitchen, you don’t need to worry about installing it near any pipe or ducts that reach the outside. In other words, a ductless hood may be more convenient than a ducted system, minus the installation procedure. Most ductless models run on timers and may be programmed to turn on/off automatically.
The ductless range hoods aren’t without their disadvantages, unfortunately. For this type of hood, because of the fact that it recirculates air rather than pulling in new air and venting out stale and dirty air, your kitchen can become fairly humid. The decibel levels of a ductless hood can be a bit higher than ducted exhaust systems because of the fact that they frequently need more fan power. Again, this will be dependent on lots of factors, including the brand, size, and model you select. It’s essential to remember that the filter needs for being cleaned and replaced regularly for optimum performance. This can mean an ongoing price for the homeowner.
Pros
Efficiency
The first benefit of these hoods is its efficiency. Kitchens use this system as it doesn’t send anything bad into the kitchen. Considering that commercial kitchens utilize the space to make food for more extended periods, it makes sense that a ducted system will make the kitchen to overheat. Although debate among users, another pro of a ductless system is that it produces less noise than a ducted system. It is influenced by the size or model of the range hood and how well it is being maintained.
It is environment-friendly
The fact that conditioned and heated air will not be released into the atmosphere. The heat, steam and smoke in your kitchen, will not be released outside of the kitchen. It sucks these particles and filters them. Basically, it is a form of air recycling.
Affordable
Buying one will not cut deep into your pockets. That’s because you do not have to make ducts in your kitchen or pay for any more ducting accessories. With advances in technology, today Carbon Filters last longer and can be regenerated by placing them in the oven actually.
Versatile
Recirculating range hoods aren’t a sustainable option, but they’re a versatile option that’s ideal for concrete ceilings and apartments. This’s because ducting is not needed and there are no holes to cut out. Being ductless, they suit apartments when there’s no external wall, so you don’t need to worry about installing it near any pipe and ducts that reach the outside.
Aesthetic design
It may be used to add a few vibrancies to the room. They do not take up much space particularly the ones that may be installed overhead above the range. They have this modernistic look that you can use for decorative purposes.
Mobility
Although the external nature of a ducted range hood limits the places it may go, the opposite is true for ductless range hoods. The mobility of the system lets for installation to take place absolutely anywhere. Several ductless range hoods shut off when done using it. This saves your time and reduces your concern of wasting energy.
Cons
Installation
One of the disadvantages of having a ducted range hood pertains to its installation. This system needs a set up that goes from the inside of the kitchen to the exterior of the home and building. This reduces many locations it may be placed, thereby making installation more specific and costly.
Recirculation design
Ductless range hoods come with their own disadvantages. One of which boils down to its recirculating design. Because this system sends heat as well as moisture back into the kitchen, this may lead to increased humidity. Moreover, they are slightly loud than a ducted system. The fan needs more power, which can increase the average number of decibels, but again, this might have more to do with other factors. Regular cleanings for ductless hood ranges are important. This means that maintenance can, obviously, become costlier.