What is the difference between ducted and non ducted exhaust fans?

Author: Henderson Klocko  |  Last update: Friday, February 28, 2025

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.

Does an exhaust fan need to be ducted?

Building regulations dictate that in most cases, exhaust fans must be ducted to the outside, and not into a ceiling or wall cavity. For optimal performance of your exhaust fan, it's important to keep duct runs as short as possible and without excessive bends.

Are non-ducted range hoods any good?

a ductless one will come down to your cooking style as well as your kitchen needs. If your kitchen is humid, a ducted range hood may be a better fit. However, if you are prioritizing the flexibility of your cooktop location, ductless may be the best choice.

What is the difference between ducted and non ducted fans?

Increased efficiency: Duct fans are designed to be more efficient than non-ducted fans, as they can reduce turbulence, increase the pressure and static pressure of the air, and improve the airflow direction.

How do I know if my range hood is ducted or non ducted?

The easiest way is to see if ductwork has been installed in your kitchen. Ductless hoods don't require any additional ventilation systems, so you wouldn't find duct work installed with a ductless vent. Another way to tell the difference is by checking the CFM rating on your range hood.

How to Choose a Bathroom Exhaust Fan | Ask This Old House

Do kitchen exhaust fans need to be vented outside?

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.

What are the disadvantages of ducted fans?

Drawbacks include increased weight due to the added structure of the shroud, a need for precision in tolerances of blade-tip to shroud clearance, a need for better vibration control compared to free-air propellers, and complex duct design requirements.

Can you install a bathroom exhaust fan without a duct?

When there is no space for a ducted bathroom fan, the solution is a ductless bathroom fan. A ductless bathroom fan can perform the same job as a ducted bathroom fan but requires less space. Ductless bathroom fans come in a variety of style options and can be installed in any bathroom.

What are the disadvantages of a ductless range hood?

Tend to be noisier

Because a ductless range hood is entirely self-contained, it tends to be noisier than its ducted counterparts. The blowers that suck the air through the filters are located right inside the unit rather than within the ducts or outside the home.

What is the difference between a range hood and an exhaust fan?

Both range hoods and exhaust fans are important ventilation devices that serve different purposes. Range hoods are used to remove smoke, smells, heat, and other airborne impurities from the air in your kitchen. Exhaust fans are used to remove excess moisture from the air in bathrooms and laundry rooms.

How does a ventless exhaust fan work?

As their name implies, these fans don't connect to your home's HVAC ductwork. They work similarly to exhaust fans in that they expel air up through the fan installed in the ceiling. From there, they use a charcoal filter to weed out respiratory irritants before circulating the air back into your bathroom.

What is a good CFM for a range hood?

The first things to consider when determining your ideal range hood CFM are your cooktop's width and BTU capacity. The general guidelines for each of these features are as follows: 100 CFM for every 12 inches of stove width. 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of heat capacity.

What is the difference between duct fan and exhaust fan?

A duct fan is designed to move air through duct systems, commonly used for ventilation in spaces like bathrooms and kitchens where air needs to travel longer distances. An exhaust fan, on the other hand, removes stale air, odours, or moisture directly from a space to the outside, often mounted on walls or ceilings.

Is it code to have an exhaust fan over a stove?

Residential Range Hood Code Requirements

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.

Should I have an attic exhaust fan?

At first glance, having a hot attic may not seem alarming, but the extra heat and moisture could raise your air conditioning usage and potentially harm your roof. If your attic is excessively warm, installing an attic fan can be the answer to several problems caused by inadequate ventilation.

What happens if the bathroom fan is not vented?

“If a bathroom is not properly vented many possible issues could arise,” says indoor air quality expert Dave Jones. These issues include mold, rot or paint damage. In my first home, the bathroom fan vented into the attic instead of outside, causing major mold damage.

Is it OK to use flex duct for bathroom fan?

The most common types ducts that can be used for a bathroom exhaust fan installation are rigid ducting, semi-rigid ducting, flexible ducting or a rigid duct and flexible duct combination.

Does a bathroom exhaust fan need its own breaker?

4 of the 2015 IRC requires that at least one 20-amp circuit supply the bathroom's GFCI-protected outlets. And while outlets in other rooms can't be placed on this circuit, other minor equipment within the bathroom (like an exhaust fan) can be, according to the code — but only if the circuit serves just one bathroom.

Are duct fans worth it?

Do I Need an Air Duct Booster Fan? Consider an air duct booster fan if certain rooms are much hotter or colder than others. These fans balance temperatures by enhancing airflow within your HVAC system. If uneven heating or cooling is evident, especially in distant rooms, installing a booster fan could help.

What are the cons of exhaust fans?

Cons. Exhaust fans are less efficient at removing smoke, grease, and odours than kitchen chimneys. Hence, they may not be suitable for heavy cooking or larger kitchens. These fans can be noisy and are not designed to capture grease particles, leading to grease buildup on kitchen surfaces over time.

Is ducted worth it?

Investing in ducted air conditioning not only elevates your living comfort but also adds value to your property. Ducted air conditioning system makes an aesthetically pleasing interior, as there are no bulky units taking up valuable wall or floor space.

What is a hidden range hood called?

4. Retractable Downdraft. Unlike traditional range hoods installed over the stovetop, retractable downdrafts are discreetly hidden in the countertop. Downdraft vents remain flush with the counters when not in use.

How do I know what kind of bathroom fan I have?

Find the model label located in the corner, closest to the outlet. Some fans have the model number stamped into the motor plate instead of a sticker.

What is the difference between a range hood and a vent hood?

Both use fan power to generate airflow. And both are usually connected to a ducting system that removes air from the kitchen and sends it outdoors. The difference is that a vent hood is designed to draw air, while a range hood is designed to push air. A range hood uses a forced-air fan to push air out of the system.

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