skip to main content

Range Hood - do I need an external blower?

15 years ago

I have a couple novice questions. I have searched the strings on hoods but can't quite discern what I'm looking for.

1) A hood with centrifugal blower...does that really give the affect of increasing CFM performance? One string from 2002 said it increases performance by 50%. If that's true, then I could get a 270 CFM with a 400 CFM performance which would be enough for me.

2) If i want to vent outside, do I need to purchase an external blower?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

clinresga
15 years ago
1) Opinions vary about the Vent a Hood "squirrel cage" blower system. I have a 600 cfm VAH hood and a 1200 cfm Fantech blower. There is NO way that the VAH approaches the Fantech in performance. I think the "50% increase" is marketing hype, no more. But, that's just my opinion.

2) No, any internal (i.e. blower mounted inside the hood) blower will work just as well. The main advantage is that the external blower is mounted typically in the attic or on the roof, thus removing a major source of noise. But, either can ventilate well, depending on specs, ducting, etc.
L H
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you!
Related Discussions
Can I modify a normal range hood to connect a external blower?
Q
Comments (7)
If by "normal" you mean that your hood has an internal blower that blows into vents that are already in place that lead to the outside, then yes. An in-line blower is probably your easiest bet. An external blower usually requires its own housing. All this assumes that removing your existing internal blower does not alter the structural integrity or the air flow geometry of your existing hood. And, of course, the electrical requirements have to be made compatible between your existing hood and the new blower. Make sure the size of your vents are consistent with whatever your new blower specifies.
...See More
External blower range hood right on other side of the wall?
Q
Comments (2)
I have a 1000cfm remote blower on the roof about six feet away from my hood. Can I hear it? Yes. Is it as loud as if the blower was in the hood? No. ...so I guess that translates to "as quiet as possible" and "I can still hear the thing because it's not far away"
...See More
external blower range hoods
Q
Comments (1)
We have a 42" Viking hood, 1200cfm external blower. It works great! It has a great capture area. We went with the 1200 due to the btus and the recommendation from Capital Range. It is so easy to clean the filters too, just pop them in the dishwasher. For some reason it makes me happy to see them greasy--I know it's working. (And during these last few days where our temps have been in the upper 80's and 90's, we open some windows and turn that baby on high--it's like a whole house fan for the first floor!)
...See More
Need a new kitchen vent with external blower- or do i?
Q
Comments (10)
You might have systemic communication and control issues (wiring, control, etc.) or you might have motor issues (bearings, rotors, etc.).. or both. Has that been determined? A regular electrician with a multimeter could probably tell that. Either may be fixable, but will require patience and unususal expertise to do so. The motor, in particular may need to be removed and sent to a specialized shop. Do you have any idea if the system, in perfect working order, would satisfy your powerful but quiet requirements? Do you like the exterior styling of the vent hood? These are all questions to answer before tracking down repairs. Or they may demand that you track down repairs as nothing else will do. Your call. L.
...See More
mikebeth
15 years ago
IMHO a squirrel cage blower works fine for powerful and (relatively) quiet ventilation. Our Viking Pro uses a 600cfm internal blower with a squirrel cage and it kicks butt. You are always going to have noise from air movement, no matter where the blower is located.

I think the best way to increase performance for a given blower size is to use baffles rather than mesh filters. They are much less restrictive to air flow and do not clog (and decrease airflow). That is one of the primary reasons we chose a Viking Pro hood for our remodel.

Mike & Beth
davidro1
15 years ago
gemini16,

As mentioned above, a "squirrel cage blower works fine for powerful and (relatively) quiet ventilation... a 600cfm internal blower with a squirrel cage and it kicks butt. You are always going to have noise from air movement, no matter where the blower is located... "

Just to go back to basics :
-- all hoods at a cost higher than the low-end of the market have centrifugal (squirrel cage) blowers. They do a better job than blade fans and are quieter too.
-- all air moving makes some noise. Breathe in and out slowly making as little noise as possible and you can still hear "something".

In the range of 250 to 400 CFM you may not find baffle filters are quieter than mesh. There are also Other advantages to mesh filters in this range of CFM. At high end of the CFM range, baffles are clearly best.

"If i want to vent outside, do I need to purchase an external blower?"
- NO, all blowers can send air outside.
Some blowers are in-line, halfway between your hood and the outdoors.
Most blowers are in the hood.
Some blowers can be outdoors ("external") but this is not required in any way.

HTH
-David
housepoor1
13 years ago
I have a Best By Broan P1952M70CMSS vent hood. I am looking to reduce the sound produced by the unit by either installing an external blower system or replacing the unit by a system that will be much quieter?

Is there an external blower system that goes with the P1952 series? Will that be quieter? Are there other systems (with or without external blowers) that will be much quieter? Current system is 800 CFM and 10 sones. I do not want to compromise too much on the exhaust performance.

HP1.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Wood Range Hoods Naturally Fit Kitchen Style

By Rachel Grace

Bring warmth and beauty into the heart of your home with a range hood crafted from nature's bounty

KITCHEN APPLIANCES What to Consider When Adding a Range Hood

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get to know the types, styles and why you may want to skip a hood altogether

KITCHEN DESIGN What to Know When Choosing a Range Hood

Find out the types of kitchen range hoods available and the options for customized units

KITCHEN APPLIANCES The Many Ways to Get Creative With Kitchen Hoods

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Distinctive hood designs — in reclaimed barn wood, zinc, copper and more — are transforming the look of kitchens

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Keep your kitchen clean and your home's air fresh by understanding all the options for ventilating via a hood fan

KITCHEN DESIGN Modern Storage and Sunshine Scare Away the Monster in a Kansas Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

New windows and all-white cabinetry lighten a kitchen that was once dominated by an oversize range hood and inefficient cabinets

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cooking Hearth Never Looked So Good

By Jason Ball Interior Design

Today's Range Hoods Have High Style to Match Their Function

KITCHEN DESIGN A Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances

By Christine Tusher

An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Love to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Help! V*King nightmare is over. Need input on 36”, 6 burner gas range.

15

Applied panel on dishwasher doesn't line up with cabinetry drawer

25

Fisher Paykel electric wall oven feedback

0

Refrigerator Ice Maker Inlet?

1

Bosch Benchmark Wall Oven not baking center of cakes

15