If venting outside is not an option, a ductless range hood can be installed. This option uses a series of filters to trap grease and odors before recirculating the air back into the kitchen.
Ductless range hoods work just as well as ducted hoods, but they don't need to be vented outside. So, how do they work? It's simple. Using commercial-grade baffle filters, the dirty air is sucked up into the unit and then filtered and returned to your kitchen – without the toxins.
A kitchen chimney is more effective at removing cooking odours and smoke than an exhaust fan. Chimneys are equipped with filters, often including baffle or charcoal filters, which trap grease, odours, and smoke particles.
After choosing the type of range hood, you'll need to select the venting option: external (ducted), recirculating (ductless), or convertible ventilation. Ducted hoods work by pushing air out of the house through ductwork in the wall or ceiling.
You can install a ductless range hood without venting. This type of hood can be placed in various locations around your kitchen and works by filtering the air instead of directing it outside.
Recirculating fans, used when venting outside isn't an option, do offer some odour control by trapping dust and particles in a filter. However, they don't address moisture effectively. The trapped moisture needs regular filter changes to maintain functionality.
If you don't have access to the fan through the attic, you'll have to cut the brackets from below. Use an oscillating saw or reciprocating saw to carefully cut the brackets. Avoid cutting electrical wires and expect to touch up the ceiling drywall with spackling later.
A ductless range hood is a ventilation system that does not require ductwork to be installed in your home as they filter smoke and odors instead of removing them completely. Because they don't require any ductwork, these range hoods are great for kitchens in a variety of layouts.
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.
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.
You usually find ductless fans in bathrooms without tubs or showers. For them to be up to building code, you must also have a window. While the fan does a good job of keeping air circulating, leading to a more comfortable environment, the window will aid in helping to remove moisture from the air.
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. If venting outside is not possible, a ductless range hood can still provide some benefits, but it may not be as effective as a ducted hood.
As stated, exhaust vents should be vented directly to the outside of the house. If you're considering venting into the attic to save money, it can end up costing you more in the long run because of the potential damage to your home and increased energy costs.
Luckily, there is an alternative: a roof-mounted whole house fan that doesn't require attic space. Instead, it mounts on your roof and attaches to vents to ventilate your whole home and provide you with fresh and cool air day or night. What is a Roof Mount Whole House Fan?
Exhaust fans should always be ducted to a location outside the home (See Kitchen Exhaust Fans and Bathroom Exhaust Fans). Ideally, each exhaust fan should have its own individual duct to the outside and each unit should have its own ducting to prevent cross contamination.
HEPA air filters filter the air in an area. These filters remove different allergens like pollen, dust, and bacteria. HEPA air filters can be a good range hood alternative for the kitchen, as they capture many different particles that fly around while we cook.
Exhaust Fan: Primarily focuses on removing moisture and odours, aiding in humidity control and air quality improvement in targeted areas. Ventilation fan: Helps regulate temperature by drawing in cooler outdoor air, reducing indoor temperatures, and aiding in overall humidity control.
A ductless range hood operates by drawing in air laden with cooking by-products such as smoke, grease, and odors. Once the unit pulls in the air, it first moves through a primary grease filter, usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, to capture larger particles.
Ducted Range Hoods—rely on suction to expel smoke, steam, grease, and particles from the kitchen to the outside of the house. Ductless Range Hoods—rely on advanced carbon filters (also called activated charcoal filters) to clean the air and recycle it back into the kitchen.
On the other hand, a ductless range hood doesn't draw air into the unit through the same method as a ducted hood. Instead, it draws air into the unit through its own intake grille. After passing through the charcoal filter, the filtered air is released back into the room where food is being made.
Gas stoves produce a lot of heat and harmful contaminants, so we recommend venting hoods over gas stoves to the outside. Electric stoves aren't as powerful so you can use a ventless hood in most cases. But we recommend a hood that is vented to the outside to keep your air clean and fresh.