Q. We’re working with a kitchen designer, and they’re planning a big exhaust hood over our burners. I just don’t see why we need one, and it’s much more expensive than I thought. The designer is saying we must have one and is really pushing it (and I’m sure there’s a better commission in that sale). Is it required? Why do we need it? We have an open kitchen, and windows, as well Besides, on a cold day it seems like of waste of energy.
A. I get exhausted just thinking about your exhaust fan. Venting above your cooktop is actually required in the mechanical code, and for good reason. The quality of indoor air is potentially a serious problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.
Combustion pollutants from fireplaces, boilers, gas ranges and ovens can lead to illness and eventual death. An estimated 3.8 million people become ill and die each year from respiratory causes, and we rarely think of the air we are breathing in our homes as a reason. We spend between 75 and 90 percent of our time indoors, believe it or not, including your home, workplace and car. We inhale recycled air or air filled with impurities most of the time, believe it or not.
Your air duct hood in the kitchen becomes more important to you under those circumstances. Most venting in kitchens is actually undersized or not maintained, building up restrictions like dust and grease over the years. Some people complain about the noise, but conversation is rated at 4 sones on the noise level scale, while an exhaust fan is rated only slightly higher, at 6 sones. If the fan noise level is higher, the vent fan may have been installed incorrectly or is slowing down or struggling with grease build-up.