Even though it is not required by code, we still strongly recommend ducted exhaust systems in kitchens with gas stoves. This is the most effective way to direct potentially harmful fumes, moisture and even carbon monoxide out of the house and away from fresh breathing air.
It is not safe to have a gas stove without a vent. Although they are not required in the US, vent hoods are crucial to improving your indoor air quality. Since Americans today spend over 90% of their time indoors, venting out pollutants and cooking exhaust is all the more important.
Gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide also come from the kitchen and are harmful to both people and pets, making the need for kitchen ventilation even more compelling. There's also the issue of odours from cooking.
405.5 Kitchen Exhaust Rate: Intermittent = 100 cfm for range hoods. OR 300 cfm for mechanical exhaust fans including downdraft appliances. For continuous exhaust ventilation: minimum 5 air changes per hour based on kitchen volume for enclosed kitchens.
While not all residential buildings are mandated to have range hoods, when they are present, they must comply with the following standards: Ventilation to the Outdoors (IRC M1503.
Even though it is not required by code, we still strongly recommend ducted exhaust systems in kitchens with gas stoves. This is the most effective way to direct potentially harmful fumes, moisture and even carbon monoxide out of the house and away from fresh breathing air.
Use an Air Filter
During cooking, various pollutants and odors, such as smoke, grease particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and food odors, can be released. By using an air filter, these contaminants are removed, resulting in a fresher and healthier indoor environment.
Most residential building codes do not require a range hood above a stove or cook top, but you'd be wise to ensure your locale is not the exception. Even if it's not legally required, you should think long and hard before forgoing a hood altogether.
DO RANGE HOODS NEED TO BE VENTED OUTSIDE? Not all range hoods need ventilation, but vented or ducted models do always vent to the outside of a home. This venting can run through an exterior wall, floor or—with the help of a professional—be installed up and out through the roof.
Kitchen ventilation requirements: Requires an exhaust fan that is capable of a minimum of 50L per second. This is often achieved through a rangehood or similar setup. Laundry ventilation requirements: You'll need a fan capable of 20L extraction per minute.
Without the vent to allow air into the drainpipes, it places pressure on the pipes which can cause them to become compromised and, eventually, wear out or even burst. When water drains from the kitchen sink, it takes with it odorous gasses which would otherwise linger in the kitchen.
Heat and Steam- If you do not have proper circulation, your kitchen can become very warm and sticky. Hood ventilation helps to capture any moisture in the air which can cause walls and ceilings to crack. Grease- If grease and other residue are not maintained, mold and bacteria can grow in unwanted spaces.
Solid Fuel, Wood and Biomass burning Appliances that draw their combustion air from within the dwelling are required by Building Regulations to have installed a fixed permanently open ventilator to provide this air from the outside of the dwelling.
While all rooms in your home need some form of ventilation to refresh the air, building regulations for new homes specify that mechanical ventilation is required in bathrooms, kitchens, and WCs.
Indeed, a 2020 study of coping strategies during the pandemic found that venting was linked to poorer mental health, while tactics like accepting, joking about, and positively reframing the situation seemed to boost well-being. “You should generally act how you hope to feel,” Cougle says.
The "better" option really depends on your situation. Ducted range hoods are generally more efficient as they vent kitchen air outside. However, they require a venting system which can be costly to install. Ductless hoods, on the other hand, are easier to install but may not remove odors as effectively.
Though you may not be required to install a hood over your stove, it is generally recommended for the best cooking experience. Without one, smoke and fumes may build up in your kitchen. Range hoods also help to reduce heat and moisture while cooking so you may not even break a sweat when cooking dinner for your family.
As a general rule, look for 100 CFM for every linear foot of cooking surface. For pro-style ranges, the formula is 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs your appliance puts out. Other factors come into play as well. For every 3 inches a hood exceeds the suggested height above the cooktop, add 100 CFM.
Use Fans from Nearby Rooms
Along with placing a window fan in the cooking area, using fans from other rooms can help provide ventilation to the kitchen.
That means there must be some sort of exhaust system located above or adjacent to your range or cooktop. (Wall ovens and microwaves typically do not require ventilation.) But even more important than just complying with the code, you need kitchen ventilation so your kitchen (and house!)
Recirculation extraction fan
Ducting is not always practical, or possible, so recirculation is another ventilation option. Recirculation hoods don't extract air to the outside and instead, they filter the air, grease and cooking odours through a charcoal filter before recycling it back into the kitchen.
In most cases, it's not illegal to have no range hood in your kitchen; however, local building codes may require one depending on factors like the type of appliance being used (gas vs electric) or whether there are windows nearby that can provide adequate ventilation when opened during cooking activities.
Noise was the most common reason for avoiding the kitchen ventilation system. As more information comes out about gas stove cooking dangers, homeowners must depend on vent fans to mitigate gas fumes in addition to reducing moisture and odors.
Custom ductless range hoods are more powerful and have more features. Those with stainless steel baffle filters can handle high heat better. But, air purifiers offer flexibility, are quieter, and can filter smaller air particles.
The short answer is no. Not all range hoods need to be vented outside. However, depending on the type of range hood you have, it may be needed. Venting outdoors is the most effective option for removing smoke, steam, and odors from the kitchen.