The 5 Main Benefits of Range Hoods

When considering the many appliances you have in your home, a range hood is among the less obvious and least appreciated. In addition to providing valuable filtering support for your stove or cooktop, range hoods are designed to expel gases and odors from inside your home. Without a doubt, they are easily one of the most important appliances you can have in your home.

Here’s a list of the five most important benefits you will receive from installing and using a range hood in your home.

What is a Range Hood?

Before you can truly appreciate the benefits they provide, you must first understand what a range hood is and how it works. It goes by many names, but the most common would be a vent hood or exhaust hood. It’s basically a fan enclosed in a canopy installed directly above your stove/range or cooktop.

They’re designed to remove gasses, odors, heat and steam that can develop when you’re preparing a meal. For most of us, the air that gets removed is released outside the home, but there are some out there that have a filtration system that will clean and recirculate the air back into the kitchen. Others have the ability to trap and remove airborne grease.

Other common names for a range hood include the following:

• Extractor Hood / Fan
• Ventilation Hood
• Kitchen Hood
• Electric Kitchen Chimney
• Fume Extractor
• Exhaust Plume

1. Keeping the Air Clean

Notably, the most important benefit of a range hood is that it removes potentially toxic pollutants and gasses from the air in your kitchen. Preparing a meal, especially the way I cook, may sometimes mean you have to deal with smoke, steam and grease. All of these can have potentially dangerous side effects if inhaled by those closest to it.

With a push of a button, range hoods will suck these undesirable particles out of the home and away from everyone in the kitchen. Not only does this reduce the amount of toxic air that you may breathe in, it also helps cut down on the growth of bacteria, germs and even mold in your kitchen. However, it must be noted that the best weapon in the fight against poor indoor air quality, is to have a HEPA air purifier running nearby.

In addition to the unwanted byproducts mentioned above, vent hoods are great at cutting down the amount of carbon monoxide that may be present in your home. There are many health dangers associated with carbon monoxide, and inadequate ventilation will just exasperate the potential problems this toxic gas presents.

2. Removing Excess Heat

Another great benefit of a range hood is the fact that it helps remove heat from your kitchen. Whether it’s heat coming from your cooktop or steam coming off of your food, a vent hood will help stop it from hitting you in the face and make it slightly more comfortable for you. That way, you can focus on your recipe and not the sweat on your brow.

Because of the built-in feature of a fan blower, range hoods are designed to suck away the excess heat produced by stoves and heaters. As with smoke and airborne toxins, heat is removed through the vent, which helps keep your kitchen at a somewhat cooler temperature. Of course, it’s not going to cool you off like a portable air conditioner would, but it will help eliminate some of the heat that you inadvertently create as you prepare your meal.

3. Better Kitchen Lighting

My favorite benefit of a range hood is the extra lighting that it provides. When I have something going on my stove, the light in my range hood helps me see what I’m doing. It also helps me see the mess that I’m making.

This is beneficial for both cooking and cleaning purposes. Being able to actually see what you are cooking is important to ensure that food is being cooked properly and will also help prevent it from burning. With the light from a range hood, you will be able see all of the dirt and grease in crevices and hard to reach areas. Removing that gunk and grime will keep your stove-top and kitchen appliances looking newer and working as they should.

On top of that, the small light bulb in my vent hood also helps me save energy. Instead of turning on all five light bulbs in my kitchen, sometimes, especially at night, I’ll just turn on the light above my stove. Why pay to use the energy of five light bulbs, when one will work just fine? I’ve been doing this for years now.

4. Improves Your Property Value

In today’s real estate market, range hoods are expected to be found in every kitchen. If you don’t have one, it could actually hurt the resale value of your home. People have come to expect this luxury, and if you don’t have one, it may deter people from buying your home.

Additionally, if your vent hood is in need of an upgrade, then that may also hurt the resale value of your home. If you are trying to sell your home and you don’t have a range hood in your kitchen, then you may want to ask your realtor if they know of anyone that could install one before you start showing your home.

5. Cooking & Living in Comfort

Finally, the most enjoyable benefit you gain from kitchen range hoods is the daily joy of cooking and living in comfort. They help create a clean, comfortable environment in your kitchen. Reducing the effects of unpleasant odors and stuffiness allows you the freedom to be creative with your cooking style. Instead of being discouraged by foul smells and an overheated home, you will be more eager to dive into your favorite recipes and sit around with your family enjoying the small pleasures in life.

It’s precisely because of those little comforts, that we would recommend installing a range hood in your kitchen.

Range Hood Benefits & You

There’s no denying that kitchen range hoods provide many important benefits that protect your health and provide a comfortable, clean environment for cooking and living in your home. From the obvious benefits of protection from toxins and unpleasant odors to the not-so-obvious benefits of a cleaner home and cooking creativity, a vent hood is an important asset to your home and your health.

Consider these invaluable benefits of a range hood, fully research each one before and consult with your contractor before you buy. Each brand will have a slightly different warranty and installation requirements, but if you choose the right one, you’ll be cooking in style for many years to come.