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Picking the right range hood blower is a really big deal when choosing a hood. As the powerhouse behind your range hood, it affects the overall performance of the hood. To get the best airflow and cooking experience, you need to know what makes the blower special.
Different types of range hood blowers come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Are you looking for a quiet and efficient appliance or a powerful one for serious cooking? A good knowledge base of the different types of blowers will help you make a good choice.
In this guide, we will explore the types of range hood blowers available. We will cover their features, benefits, and limitations. Armed with this knowledge, selecting a blower for your hood is a lot simpler.
A range hood blower is a part of the ventilation system in a range hood. It is the primary part of a vent unit that allows it to remove pollutants created while cooking. Its primary function in the range hood is to create strong airflow and suction. Airflow and suction power are necessary to clear the kitchen air.
A range hood blower works by first creating low pressure inside the hood. This causes an imbalance in air pressure between the inside of the hood and the area around it. As a result, air gets pulled into the hood, carrying the contaminated air away. This air is then either expelled or filtered.
A range hood blower has a fan and motor as its major components. The fan is the primary component responsible for generating airflow. It can be of various types, such as centrifugal or axial, depending on the design of the range hood. The motor powers the fan, which spins and creates the suction needed to pull air into the range hood. The strength of the blower is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
The major types of range hood blowers include:
An external blower is a blower unit installed outside the home and connected to the vent hood via ductwork. They are often installed in separate areas like the attic, basement, or exterior wall. These blower types often have a compact design with strong airflow capacity. They are ideal for large kitchens where the cooking generates significant pollutants. These blowers are built to withstand external environments, ensuring reliable operation and longevity.
1. By locating the blower in a remote location, you get reduced noise levels in the kitchen. This distance from the noisy part of the hood results in a quieter cooking environment.
2. External blowers are compact, powerful, and effective for larger kitchens or complex duct systems.
3. Installation flexibility allows the blower to be placed in less obtrusive locations. They can be placed in the attic, roof, or other suitable outdoor area.
4. External blowers provide more design options for different types of range hoods. They remove the need for a bulky internal blower unit, allowing for a sleeker vent hood design.
5. Maintenance of external blowers is a lot easier as they are outside the kitchen. This keeps your kitchen clean and mess-free during maintenance tasks.
1. External blowers are more expensive than other blower options. Installing an external blower with the required ductwork can be a tad on the high side.
2. External blowers need adequate outdoor space for installation. This may be challenging for homes with limited outdoor areas or space.
3. External blowers are often outside, which exposes them to sun, rain, and snow. This means they require extra protection to keep them functioning well.
4. Installing an external blower can be complicated and time-consuming. The process often requires professional assistance to ensure proper ductwork installation.
An inline blower or duct fan, is a range hood blower installed within the duct system, either between sections of the duct or at the end of a duct run. This positioning allows them to push or pull air through the ductwork, which improves venting performance. Their discrete placement also makes them a great choice for modern kitchens.
Inline blowers are the optimal unit for kitchens with long ductwork and bends. They create pressure differentials with the pipe that help overcome airflow resistance. This effectively removes pollutants, smoke, grease, and odors from the cooking area.
1. Inline blowers ensure a quiet venting operation from the hood. By placing the blower away from the range hood, noise and vibrations generated by the motor are minimized.
2. By improving airflow, inline blowers help maintain efficient and consistent ventilation. This efficiency can also contribute to energy savings by reducing the run time of the hood.
3. They provide installation flexibility as they can be in different spots within the ductwork. This means you can customize the installation to fit your kitchen's layout and space limits.
4. Inline blowers are well-suited for larger kitchens or those with high ventilation demands. They are perfect for kitchens with long ducts, many bends, or complicated ventilation systems.
5. They offer a space-efficient solution by removing the need for a bulky vent cover. This allows for more compact and streamlined designs in ducted range hoods.
1. Inline range hoods require more complex installation and often require professional expertise. The remote placement can make the installation more challenging and time-consuming.
2. Inline range hoods can be more expensive than range hoods with integrated blowers. The need for extra components and ductwork can contribute to the higher cost.
3. The wrong placement of the blowers can cause airflow restrictions within the ductwork.
4. The remote placement of the blower in inline range hoods can make maintenance slightly more challenging. Accessing and cleaning the blower will require additional effort or specialized tools.
5. Inline range hoods typically operate quietly, but noise can be transmitted through the ductwork.
Built-in or internal blowers are the most common type of range hood blowers. They are blowers that come pre-installed within the range hood itself. They are the most affordable range hood blower option. They create a pressure difference that pulls air and contaminants into the hood and expels them outdoors. They work seamlessly with other parts of the range hood for optimal performance.
1. As they come built-in, their installation is straightforward compared to other blower types. The range hood is simply installed with the internal blower already in place.
2. Because they are built right into the range hood, they don't need extra space or a separate box. A great feature for small kitchens or people who like a tidy-looking space.
3. It allows for simpler cleaning and maintenance as the blower is often within reach. Most maintenance tasks are limited to filter removal and surface wiping
4. Internal blowers are generally the least expensive and cost-effective option. No installation cost and fewer adjustments needed make this a relatively cheaper blower unit.
5. Internal blowers are designed to work seamlessly with the range hood they are built into. This ensures optimal performance and smoother operation from your range hood unit.
1. Built-in blowers are primarily designed for compactness, so they fit inside the range hood. This means they might not be as powerful as external blowers.
2. Their proximity to the cooking area exposes them to higher heat levels. The increased heat can put additional strain on the blower motor and components.
3. Internal blowers can be louder than other blowers as they are closer to the cooking area.
4. Because built-in blowers are close to the cooking surface, they get dirty faster. Grease and oil particles build up quickly on the blower, which means it needs to be cleaned more often.
5. Built-in blowers fit specific range hood inserts, and are quite hard to replace without changing the whole range hood. This can be a problem and expensive if you want to improve the ventilation system later.
Recirculating blowers are blower units that draw in air, clean it, and then send the air back into the kitchen. They're often used in ductless range hoods with different filters to clean the air. They don't vent air outdoors, making them ideal for kitchens with no duct or pipe system.
The main parts of a recirculating blower are the fan, filters, and ventilation hood. The fan pulls the air from the cooking area into the blower unit. Then, the air goes through one or more filters that trap grease, odors, and smoke. After filtration, the cleaned air is released into the kitchen through the vent or grille.
1. Recirculating blowers are easy to install, with no need for ducts or venting. This makes them a great option for kitchens with limited space or complex layouts.
2. Their flexibility in installation locations provides more freedom for creative kitchen designs. It allows for a more personalized and functional kitchen space.
3. Recirculating blowers are generally less expensive to install than ducted systems. They don't require extensive ductwork, resulting in lower installation costs.
4. By recirculating air back into the kitchen, they help maintain a warm indoor temperature. This reduces heat loss, especially in colder climates or during winter months.
5. They are perfect for spaces where ductwork installation is not possible or permitted. They don't require any modifications to the existing structure when installing them.
1. Recirculating blowers don't improve air quality as much as ducted systems. The recirculated may still have allergens and pollutants the filters failed to catch.
2. The filters in recirculating blowers require regular maintenance and periodic replacement. Failure to clean or replace the filters as needed can result in reduced efficiency.
3. Unlike ducted systems, recirculating blowers struggle to remove heat and humidity. They filter the air and release it back into the kitchen without removing the hotness or moisture. This could make the kitchen uncomfortable and cause condensation problems.
4. Recirculating blowers can be loud and vibrate at max setting, but some models have noise reduction features.
5. Recirculating blowers may accumulate grease on the filters and internal components over time. This buildup can affect performance and increase the risk of fire hazards.
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Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a blower for your range hood:
1. Kitchen Size: The size of your kitchen is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a blower. In small kitchens, compact blowers that won't occupy much space are ideal. Inline, recirculating, or built-in blower units are great options for small kitchens. Large kitchens require more powerful blowers to manage the greater air volume. In this case, external or remote blower systems are often the best choice.
2. Kitchen Layout: The kitchen layout often determines the placement of the range hood. Open layouts where the cooking area is linked with the living space require inline or remote blowers. They operate at lower noise levels, which helps maintain a comfortable environment. In contrast, closed or galley kitchens have walls or partitions separating the cooking area. In such scenarios, both internal and external blowers can be suitable options.
3. Cooking Habits and Frequency: Different cooking habits and frequencies require different ventilation features. If your cooking habits primarily involve occasional light cooking, you will not generate much smoke or odors. In this case, a lower-powered built-in or inline blower can handle the ventilation needs of your kitchen. However, if you often cook heavily, like deep frying or wok cooking, you make a lot of smoke, grease, and odors. To get rid of these effectively, you need a strong blower. A powerful built-in or external blower is a good choice for heavy cooking.
4. Noise Level: Excessive noise can be disruptive, especially in open-concept kitchens or homes. Different blowers have varying noise levels, and choosing the right blower depends on how quiet you want your kitchen to be. Inline and external blowers are usually the quietest option, as they are far from the kitchen area. Built-in blowers produce moderate noise levels, depending on the model and power capacity. When choosing a blower, check the manufacturer's specs, including the noise ratings. It would help if you also talked to professionals or read user reviews to get a sense of the noise levels associated with each blower.
5. Cost Considerations: Cost is important when choosing a blower for your range hood. The price depends on type, power, features, and brand. Built-in blowers are usually the cheapest option, as they are integrated into the range hood. External and inline blowers are more expensive due to complex installation. Recirculating blowers have moderate prices that vary depending on the product and retailer. The length and complexity of the ductwork installation can also influence the cost.
Selecting the right blower is essential for ensuring your kitchen receives adequate ventilation. The blower significantly impacts the overall performance of the ventilation system. A well-functioning ventilation system ensures your kitchen remains a safe cooking environment. Therefore, investing in the long-term efficiency of your vent system is crucial. Choose the right blower, and you are halfway to achieving optimal kitchen ventilation.