What you won't be missing after a while is the grease that will accumulate in the device that takes heat or cold (physicists need not point out the sloppiness of that phrasing) from the outgoing air and puts it back into the incoming air. Any effective and practical heat transfer device that I can think of will collect grease and dust in this application. I don't know how easy it would be to clean such a unit, but my guess is that they are not designed for this. Essentially, all kitchen ventilation puts effluent into the environment. This is nearly inevitable. The only question is what kind. Residential units and most commercial units pull grease, smoke, and water vapor from the kitchen and put it directly into the environment. The probably rare UV systems convert the effluent to simple molecules, but then the ozone they generate has to be vented, or somehow filtered out, perhaps by charcoal, generation of which has its own issues. So the only thing green about a kitchen is the paint, and the goal is to minimally risk fire while getting rid of the effluent. However, my view on this is somewhat speculative. A commercial HVAC company that deals in large HRV might have something that would be practical. Perhaps some need for commercial heat recovery has spawned a practical kitchen venting HRV. The Fantech has a washable filter. How long would it take for cooking grease to gag it? What of potential grease fires. And the specified cfm has to be reduced by all the other pressure losses, so you would likely need a larger unit anyway. kas

Holly are you saying i have to replace all of the crown in the kitchen? I am not trying to save anything between the 2 windows where the range area is currently. I am ok with the expense and have already gotten the quotes from the cab company and for the modernaire hood insert. But for the cost I want to be sure want to be sure about not using the vv96 in that area and the staggered cabs. I know what I have is really nice, it is just not what I want.

Looks great!! I wouldn't worry about using ORB with what you have. There is black on the stove, so it would all tie in and it is not like it is right up against something. I think when everything matches perfectly it can get to be a little too much too. If you find a fixture you like with ORB I wouldn't let that stop you.

Mclane - a company called Handcrafted Metal will do whatever you want in a hood. In the link I am providing, check out their finishes under "Zinc & Steel" or "Bronze" for a finish like the photo you provided, Sometimes their website has bugs in it, so if you can't see something, just give them a call. I bought a custom sink from them and think it's great. Handcrafted Metal items are pricey, but they are custom, and you get what you pay for. Hancrafted Metal Custom Range Hoods