There are a lot of benefits to incorporating a ductless range hood into either your home or your place of business. For those unfamiliar with what a ductless range hood specifically is, it’s a large, metal enclosure that hangs over your range. This enclosure has a fan built into the underside of it which sucks up steam, airborne particles, and smoke.
Range hoods with ducts blow the air outdoors. Ductless range hoods, on the other hand, blow the air through a filter and then recirculate it back into the room again. That’s the main difference between the two. So, is a ductless range hood right for you?
What are the benefits of ductless range hoods?
There are several reasons why many people choose ductless over ducted range hoods. Typically, ducted range hoods tend to be used more in restaurants and bars whereas ductless range hoods typically are used in homes and smaller establishments.
Versatility
One of the best features of ductless range hoods is the versatility. You can literally install these range hoods just about anywhere you want. Unlike ducted range hoods that need to be installed close to pipes and/or ducts that lead outdoors, ductless range hoods are simple, effective, and require minimal effort to set up.
Inexpensive Installation
In addition to being versatile, ductless range hoods are fairly easy and inexpensive to install, too. Why? Ductless range hoods can be installed in a day, and you can usually do it yourself. Ducted range hoods require a skilled technician to make the physical ducts that lead outdoors. That can get quite expensive!
Environmentally Friendly
If you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly, ductless range hoods are a great choice. Why? Ductless range hoods don’t blow smoke and other particles into the atmosphere. Instead, they blow the air through a filter and recirculate it. Ductless range hoods also use less energy than ducted range hoods. Lesser energy use means a lower monthly electricity bill, as well!
Visual Appealing
Ductless range hoods are becoming more and more popular due to their stylish designs. They’re more than just air purifiers, they’re also decorations. With such a wide variety of styles sold today, you should have no problem finding a ductless range hood that’ll add that special something to the overall look of the room. Some ductless range hoods hang from the ceiling while others hang from the wall. It really comes down to personal preference.
Very Affordable
Ductless range hoods are a lot less expensive than ducked models. This is mainly because they’re smaller units. As mentioned earlier, ductless range hoods are mainly designed for homes and smaller establishments. Another reason you’ll save money by choosing a ductless range hood is that you don’t have to hire a contractor to insert ducts into your home. Avoiding this cost will spare you a couple of bucks.
Providing maintenance to your ductless range hood
In order for your ductless range hood to continue to work right and blow out clean air, you need to make sure you change the filter regularly. Most of the ductless range hoods sold today use charcoal filters. These filters should be changed every 3 to 6 months. Filters that are dirty and filthy put unnecessary stress on the motor. To keep your system working optimally, make sure to change those filters!
Now, if your ductless range hood has an aluminum filter, you can remove it from the system and clean it regularly with soap and warm water. Failure to clean this aluminum filter on a regular basis can damage your ductless range hood. Air has to be able to flow freely through the filter or the motor will have to work a lot harder.
Choosing the right ductless range hood
If you’ve decided that a ductless range hood is right for your home or commercial business, then the next step is to figure out what kind of model would be best for you. So, how do you decide? Follow these steps:
Figure out your budget
Before you can begin shopping for ductless range hoods, it’s good to know what you can spend and what you can’t. This will prevent you from spending more than you can afford. Ductless range hoods are usually crafted from stainless steel and are much more expensive than models with a plastic body. It’s good to know this before you go shopping.
Choose your filter
Choose the kind of filter you want. As previously mentioned, some systems use charcoal filters and others use aluminum. Which one is the better choice for you? Charcoal filters work better for collecting particles, smoke, and odors from the air, but they have to be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
Aluminum filters, on the other hand, aren’t as effective as charcoal, but they don’t need to be replaced. You can remove them from the system and clean them with soap and warm water.
When choosing a filter, consider what kind of cook you are. People who cook regularly and cook food that leaves lingering odors should go with a system that uses charcoal filters. However, people who don’t cook that often and boil most of their meats should invest in a system that uses aluminum filters.
Decide on a specific aesthetic design
Ductless range hoods come in a wide array of styles, designs, and materials. However, most are made from stainless steel. The important thing to remember is to choose an aesthetic design that works with the rest of your kitchen. For example, if your range is made out of stainless steel, a plastic ductless range hood would look ridiculous. Color matching is also extremely important to the overall look of the room.
Evaluate the noise level
Before you purchase a specific ductless range hood, find out what the noise level is. If the noise doesn’t bother you, then you’re in the clear. However, if you’re distracted or annoyed by loud noises, then you may want to invest in a quieter system. To find out what the noise level is of a particular model, you can either ask the sales clerk or read online reviews. The noise level of ductless range hoods is usually listed in “sones.” The highest rating recommended for your home is no more than 4 sones.
What are the best ductless range hoods in 2019?
Ductless range hoods range anywhere from about $75 to $1,000. The more you spend, the higher quality an item you’ll get. More expensive models come with lots of options and advanced settings. There are a lot of amazing ductless range hoods on the market these days. Listed below are a few of the best released in 2019.
Golden Vantage
The Golden Vantage is crafted from stainless steel and has a contemporary European design. This device is 30” in length and mounts easily on your wall. The Golden Vantage has a 380 CFM motor and two stainless steel filters that are dishwasher safe. Every unit comes with a 3-year warranty.
AKDY
The AKDY ductless range hood is 30” in size and features a very sleek, smooth design. It’s crafted from stainless steel and is built with a durable fan consisting of 3 different speeds. This ductless range hood is quiet, has both a clock and a timer, and comes with a 3-year warranty.
Cosmo 5U30
The Cosmo 5U30 features a 3-speed fan, 2 LED lights, and removable stainless steel filters. These filters can be cleaned in your dishwasher. The sleek, stainless steel body allows for easy handling, and the 5-year warranty makes this purchase well worth the money.
Firebird
The Firebird is extremely quiet and features 4 different fan speeds. This model is designed to hang from the ceiling and has 2 stainless steel filters that can be removed and cleaned quite easily. There’s also a clock, a timer, and halogen lamps built in too.
Zuhne Ventus
The Zuhne Ventus is a stainless steel, 30” ductless range hood with a tough 3-speed fan. This device has an energy saving setting and an easy-to-use touch control pad. The Zuhne Ventus uses charcoal filters and is a very quiet running machine. With a strong warranty, you can’t go wrong when you invest in this ductless range hood.
Final Remarks
These are just a few of the many ductless range hoods sold in stores and online. When shopping for a new model, always take your time and choose one that’s appropriate for your lifestyle and your personal preferences. Ductless range hoods are versatile, require minimal installation, environmentally friendly, affordable, and are also visually appealing. Invest in one today and start reaping all the benefits that ductless range hoods have to offer!
