What power should the hood have? Guide to choice

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April 18, 2024 - Updated at April 21, 2024
Tiziano B.
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Are you renovating or building your home and need to choose the right kitchen hood, one that takes into account the size of the room? You're in the right place!

When choosing a kitchen hood, the area of the room is an important factor to consider as it directly affects the extraction power that the hood needs to have.

Imagine you have a 60 m² open space or a separate 20 m² kitchen. The difference certainly matters!

In my blog, I've already discussed the various general factors that affect the choice of a kitchen hood (whether it's a filtering or exhaust hood, budget, etc.). In this article, however, I will specifically talk about the power of the hood, covering the following topics:

why it's important to pay attention to the power
calculation of the power of the exhaust hood
other factors to consider
frequently asked questions that I receive daily from those seeking my assistance

There's a lot to say, so let's get started right away!

What is it and why is the extraction power of the hood important?

As you may already know, every kitchen hood has unique and specific features that allow it to perfectly adapt to a certain type of environment.

One of these features is the extraction power, which is measured in cubic meters per hour (m³/h).

This parameter indicates the amount of air that the hood can filter and expel in an hour and is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of a hood in keeping the kitchen environment free from smoke, steam, odors, and grease particles.

Here's why it's so important:

Air Quality: Adequate extraction capacity ensures better air quality in the kitchen by effectively drawing out smoke and odors generated during cooking. This aspect is particularly relevant in open-plan kitchens or in environments with poor natural ventilation.
Environmental Comfort: Cooking, especially for extended periods, can generate a lot of heat, smoke, and steam. A hood with sufficient extraction power helps maintain a more comfortable environment, reducing heat and humidity.
Cleanliness: Smoke, steam, and grease can settle on kitchen surfaces, forming a layer of grease that is difficult to remove. An effective hood helps limit this phenomenon, making cleaning easier and keeping the kitchen cleaner.
Health: Reducing smoke and steam in the air also contributes to a healthier environment. Breathing clean air, free from strong odors and potentially harmful substances, is essential for the well-being of those who live in the kitchen daily.

Summarizing the points above, we can say that an incorrect choice of hood power can cause two main inefficiencies:

Underpowered Hood: Struggles to purify the air from odors and potentially harmful substances.
Overpowered Hood: Generates noise and consumes excessive energy without additional benefits, impacting utility costs.

So, how do you know how much power the hood you're going to install needs?

With a calculator!

Calculation of the power/capacity of the exhaust hood

The calculation of the extraction power of the hood in proportion to our environment is based on a simple formula: multiply the volume of the kitchen (length x width x height) by the number of desired hourly air changes (usually 10 for kitchens).

(See image)

For example: for a kitchen measuring 4m x 4m with a height of 2.5m, the volume is 40m³. Multiplying this by 10, you get an ideal extraction power of 400m³/h.

Other practical examples of calculations for different room sizes:

Small kitchen (3m x 3m x 2.5m): 22.5m³ x 10 = 225m³/h.
Medium kitchen (4m x 5m x 2.5m): 50m³ x 10 = 500m³/h.
Large kitchen (5m x 6m x 3m): 90m³ x 10 = 900m³/h.

Understanding the size of the room

You can easily see that knowing and carefully measuring the dimensions of the room becomes essential to understanding the power needed for our hood. However, be aware that these calculations provide only a starting point!

It is also essential to consider other factors, specific to your situation, that directly impact this choice.

Other factors to consider include:

Family Habits: Families that cook frequently or prefer cooking methods that generate a lot of steam, odor, or smoke might need a more powerful hood. For instance, those who often fry or grill meat may require more powerful hoods to purify the environment.
Family Size: A larger family might use the kitchen more frequently and intensely, increasing the need for greater power.
Type of Cooktop: Gas cooktops generally require more powerful hoods compared to electric ones.
Size of the Hood: A larger hood might have greater power, but it's important that the size is proportionate to the cooktop.

Discovering the Power by Reading the Hood's Label

How to Understand the Extraction Power of Your Hood?

Now that we understand how to calculate the power of the hood and the other relevant factors to consider, it's time to figure out where to find this important data. Here's how you can do it:

For modern kitchen hoods, the power is often indicated directly on the label located on the motor of the device. This label provides crucial data not only about the extraction power, expressed in cubic meters per hour (m³/h), but also about other important aspects like energy consumption and noise level.

In the case of older kitchen hoods, there may not be a visible label, or it may have been removed or become illegible over time. If you find yourself in this situation, you can find this information in the manual provided at the time of purchase, where you will also find all other technical specifications of your hood.

If you no longer have the manual, another option might be to search online for the specific model of your hood. Many manufacturers publish the technical specifications of their products on their websites, allowing you to retrieve the necessary information.

Learn how to identify the model of your hood>>

Other Optimizations Beyond Extraction Power

Once you have determined the extraction capacity of your hood, you can focus on optimizing the performance of the appliance, which requires ongoing care and is essential to ensure effective extraction.

Indeed, performance drops and inefficiency in kitchen hoods are often reported, all symptoms attributable to poor maintenance of the filters, which could also cause serious damage to you and your kitchen.

Performance optimization activities include routine maintenance tasks such as frequent cleaning of grease filters and replacing traditional activated carbon filters or regenerating LongLife activated carbon filters.

At FiltroCappa, you will find everything you need for maintenance:

Step-by-step guides on how to degrease grease filters (by hand or in the dishwasher);
Guides on how to regenerate LongLife activated carbon filters;
Filters and spare parts for every brand and model.

Furthermore, if you need dedicated technical support, we offer a prompt and effective direct assistance service.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) How can I calculate the volume of my kitchen?

To calculate the volume of your kitchen, measure the length, width, and height of the room and multiply these values together.

2) Is a recirculating hood or an exhaust hood better?

The choice between a filtering hood (recirculating) and an exhaust hood depends on installation possibilities and personal preferences. Exhaust hoods (vent-out) are generally more efficient but require an external outlet for the air. Read more in our detailed guide.

3) How often should I replace the filters in my hood?

Activated carbon filters in recirculating hoods should be replaced every 3-6 months, while metal grease filters should be cleaned and degreased regularly, about every 3 months.

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