Cold Air Coming from Kitchen Hood? Causes and Remedies

Have you noticed cold air entering your kitchen through the range hood, and that the odors are not being properly extracted? It could be a problem with the check valve!

Imagine this scenario: it's a cold and rainy evening, and you decide to prepare your favorite dish in the kitchen, but you realize that cold air is coming in through the range hood, and after turning it on, the odors are not being extracted.

If you've experienced this at least once, in this article, you'll understand why it can happen and what to do to prevent it.

What do we mean with “cold air”?

Cold air in a kitchen range hood is a problem that occurs mainly with ducted hoods and manifests itself when the hood lets cold air enter in the kitchen from the outside and fails to extract the vapors and fumes from the stovetop as it should, causing discomfort for both you and your guests.

Recognizing this problem is vital because a malfunctioning hood can compromise the air quality in your kitchen and make the environment less comfortable.

→ Simply place your hand where the grease filters of your hood are located to find out whether cold air is flowing inside or not.

Why Does Cold Air Enter Through the Range Hood?

Cold air enters exhaust hoods through a phenomenon known as the "chimney effect." This occurs because these hoods are connected with ducts to the outside, which means that, even when they are turned off, they tend to draw in the warm air from the room and vent it outside.

Consequently, cold air is pushed inside, leading to unwanted energy consumption and creating an unpleasant sensation of cold in the kitchen. This problem occurs in ducted hoods that lack a check valve.

Remedies for Cold Air in the Kitchen: The Check Valve

The check valve, also known as a non-return valve (NRV), retention valve, or one-way valve, is a crucial component designed to ensure that outside air does not re-enter the kitchen through the hood once expelled. However, if the check valve is missing, damaged, or malfunctioning, it may allow unwanted cold air to enter the kitchen.

What Is a Check Valve and How Does It Work?

The check valve is a butterfly-shaped element, hinged in the middle and held in place by a spring. It should be installed on the hood's outgoing duct, with the purpose of facilitating the flow of air in one direction.

Installing a check valve allows the hood's fan to push air out while the motor is running, but at the same time, it does not allow air to enter when the hood is turned off. In fact, it closes when the motor is off, preventing unwanted external air from flowing in, and it opens automatically when the motor is running, allowing air passage.

Check Valve for cold air
Check valve installed in tube

If you suspect that the check valve is the cause of cold air in your hood, it's important to consider replacing or repairing it to restore the proper functioning of the hood.

To ensure that cold air does not enter your kitchen through the hood:

  1. Regularly check the condition of the check valve and ensure it is correctly positioned.
  2. Ensure that the hood and ducts are properly sealed to prevent unwanted air leaks.

Check Valves in FiltroCappa.it

If you want to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your kitchen, consider installing a check valve on your ducted hood. Without a check valve, ducted hoods can cause the unwanted dispersion of cold air and increase energy consumption.

On FiltroCappa.it, you will find a wide range of check valves designed to fit different brands and models. Some of the most well-known brands include:

→ Search for the check valve compatible with your hood

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