Technically, an extractor fan may not be legally required in all existing residential kitchens, but it is highly recommended and often required by local building codes for new builds or major renovations. It is essential for venting harmful pollutants, removing grease, and preventing mold.
Yes, you can have a kitchen without an extractor fan. However, whether it is advisable or legally compliant depends on local building codes, if you are using gas, and how heavily you cook.
Kitchen extractor fans ventilate the steam, either outside or through a filter that is then recirculated back into the kitchen. If the steam isn't extracted, it will build up as condensation. This creates the perfect environment for mould which carries a wide range of health issues.
Whether an extractor fan is a legal requirement depends strictly on your location and whether you are building new or remodeling.
Kitchen extractor fans work to remove steam, grease and cooking odours from your kitchen. Not only does this stop strong food smells, it also helps keep your kitchen clean by minimising grease and moisture build-up.
However, we recommend installing a good-quality cooker hood in your kitchen. As you cook, you'll produce steam, grease and cooking odours which if left unchecked can be detrimental to your kitchen over time. Installing an extractor fan minimises this risk helping to keep your kitchen a pleasant place to be.
Yes, an extractor fan must vent outside. The air that is pulled through the extractor fan must be expelled outside, so the fan needs to be connected straight through an external wall or duct through the ceiling to an exterior vent.
If you don't have a kitchen extractor fan, you can manage smoke, steam, and cooking odors by using a window fan to exhaust air, running a portable HEPA air purifier with a carbon filter to trap grease and odors, or installing a ductless (recirculating) range hood.
Without an exhaust fan, you must actively manage smoke, grease, and odors. Place a reversible window fan to blow air outward, run a portable HEPA air purifier near the stove, use a splatter screen, and avoid high-heat searing.
Whether you need planning permission to install an extractor fan depends on the size and placement of the fan. For domestic installations, such as a bathroom or kitchen in your house, planning permission is not generally required.
Effects on overall health
Insulating your home and making it airtight without proper ventilation creates a reduced indoor air quality. Fresh air does not enter and stale air is not removed to the outside. The consequences are: Increased risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies.
An extractor fan can help by removing the moisture-laden air from your bath, shower and sink before the water vapour can condense back into liquid and become a problem. The fan draws out the air and expellsit outside, through vents or ducts. This allows drier, fresh air to circulate through the room.
You typically do not need a vent hood by law, but it is strongly recommended. While building codes often just require a basic window or mechanical exhaust fan for kitchen ventilation, manufacturers and HVAC experts advise using a hood to manage smoke, grease, moisture, and indoor air quality.
If your kitchen does not have access to an exterior wall for venting, you may need to install a range hood vent through the ceiling. This option requires more planning and may involve cutting through drywall or other materials to create a duct system. It is best to consult a professional for this type of installation.
The best kitchen hood depends on your cooking style and space. Ducted hoods are universally considered the best for removing smoke and grease, while ductless hoods are ideal if you cannot vent outside. For heavy cooking, high-CFM wall-mounted models are the top choice.
Ductless exhaust fans filter and recirculate indoor air rather than venting it outside. Ideal for half-baths, laundry rooms, or kitchens without ductwork, they typically use activated charcoal filters to trap odors before returning the air to the room.
Yes, ductless range hoods work effectively as air purifiers by capturing grease and filtering out cooking odors, making them a great choice for kitchens where exterior venting is not possible. However, because they recirculate the air rather than exhausting it outside, they do not remove heat or humidity.
Ductless range hoods, also known as recirculating venting hoods, operate via a recirculating venting system, which filters air and recirculates it in your kitchen.
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If your kitchen doesn't have a window or external door that you can open, then mechanical ventilation – which usually means an extractor fan – is required by law.
Your need for an exhaust fan also depends on your location. More importantly, your health. Some areas do not require an exhaust hood for residential use. As you can see, there's not much difference between exhaust fans and range hoods, your choice depends on your kitchen space, cooking area, and cooktop area.
Under Part F of the Building Regulations Act, extractor fans must be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where moisture and odours are likely to accumulate. These regulations ensure proper ventilation and moisture control to prevent issues such as dampness and mould growth.
They're most often mounted to the wall above the cooktop or the ceiling above a kitchen island and vent air through ductwork to the outside or filter and recirculate air back into the kitchen.
Yes, extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens must vent outside. Building codes and safety standards almost always mandate this outward venting to prevent moist, humid air from accumulating indoors.