X POST - calling all Modern Aire owners

15 years ago

I posted this on the Appliance forum but know that many MA owners frequent this forum.

We FINALLY had our hood installed last week - one of the few remaining details in our kitchen. It looks great but there seem to be two big issues.

The first is the draft of cold air that is now coming into my kitchen. I did call MA and asked them about this so I think the solution is to switch out the damper that my GC used.

The second is more worrisome, and that it how LOUD it is, even at the "low" setting. Maybe I didn't do enough homework but I didn't expect the darn thing to be so loud.

Is this normal? Of course our first priority is functionality and if loud is what we need to live with to get great venting, that's fine.

Thanks for any insights!

Eliz

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Comments (9)

paddy_99
15 years ago
Is this a wall mount hood or an island and where is it vented?
salmon_slayer
15 years ago
also - internal or external motor?
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marthavila
15 years ago
Elizpiz, I'm so sorry to hear this! Unfortunately, my MA PS26 is only partially installed at this point. Although the ductwork is completed and the hood is mounted (ceiling-to-roof install), the contractor has yet to install the damper, baffles, etc. As such, he's asked me not to run it as yet so I can't tell you anything about noise levels.

As far as drafts go,I'm not noticing any in the range area. Only reason why I can't give you a more definitive answer than that, though, is because I've been waiting forever for my replacement windows. At this point, the storms have been removed and the old non-insulated windows are not doing much to keep out cold air -- so the whole darn kitchen is cold and drafty, not just over the range! Sorry I can't be of more help at the moment. Hopefully, I'll have windows and a warm room and a damper and a functioning hood by the end of this week! If so, I'll weigh back in here with a report of findings. Meanwhile, keep us posted. . . and good luck!
astridh
15 years ago
I would not describe mine as especially loud. It is definitely quieter than the 1970-era VentAHood it replaced. The method of installation affects the overall noise level a lot, I have learned. I have read that corrugated/flex duct is noisier than smooth-wall duct. I don't think I am using the correct terms, but I think you get the idea.
elizpiz
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi all - thanks for your quick responses - I love GW!

In response to first two questions: it is an external motor, wall mounted hood. Vents directly outside. Marthavila, thanks for the note! I am still really happy with the choice and the info you provided earlier was so helpful.

Astridh, not quite sure what we have but I will check and see if this is having an impact. I'm not entirely confident that my GC installed it correctly (this is the person that hooked up my pot filler to the hot water instead of cold...)

Thanks again for the responses and if this info sheds more light, I'd be grateful for your feedback.

Eliz
rosema12
15 years ago
curious to know those of you who have MA or VAH which you prefer. this is our last appliance to get and we've been looking at VAH.. My DH wants a good hood for our island pro cooktop. our current cooktop and hood we always get tons of smoke when grilling..

so he is visiting MA today which is not too far from where we live to see what they have to offer in comparison to VAH.
farmhousebound
15 years ago
We have our MA hood installed and even though our kitchen is not finished, I have been able to use it on the weekends I am at the farm. I don't feel that it is too loud even on high (this from a person who hates the noise of a hood), but I have always had real cheap hoods or OTR microwaves w/ vent and to me those were really loud. As far as cold air--I haven't noticed a draft but on one really cold morning recently that I used it got noticibly (sp) colder in the room--it had taken all of my heat!

I picked the MA hood because of reviews on this forum as well as it had the exact look I was going for to install over our vintage Chambers stove. I love it and everyone comments on when visiting.
salmon_slayer
15 years ago
I have an abbaka and a VAH. My research indicated the MA and Abakka are very similar. The MA/abbaka will cost more than a VAH. You can get more airflow and the MA/Abakka should be much quieter if you go with the remote blower. The more distance between the hood and the motor results in quieter performance and a silencer is the cherry on top. One of the other considerations I was told was the size of the motor (Modern-Aire and Abbaka both said this) . The larger motors have larger blades which mean they do not have to spin as fast to get the same airflow. This makes sense if your getting motor noise vs air flow. Other considerations not directly related to the choices you mentioned is the type of filtering system. We found "mesh" results in a louder air flow noise. The baffles that MA and Abbaka use (and others) use and the squirrel cage that VAH use were quieter by comparison. Installation with the proper plumbing: type and size (avoid corrugated pipe) and minimal "turns" also affect noise/efficiency
homepro01
15 years ago
Just to add to Salmon slayer, Abbaka uses VAH squirrel cages when you request an internal blower mechanism. I have a VAH and love it. It is not super quiet but it is not very loud either. I don't have the space for an external blower and don't know that I want the added expense and repair issues should they arise. I also find the VAH much cheaper than the remote blower configurations. One thing to take into account is that if you are using a remote blower, placing it close to your kitchen will defeat the purpose of noise reduction.

Good luck!

X POST - calling all Modern Aire owners

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