Choose a range hood’s capacity based on your kitchen’s volume: multiply the room’s floor area by the ceiling height and the air-exchange rate. For a wall-mounted cooktop, a rate of 10–12 is usually used; for an island cooktop, use a higher one. The result is the minimum capacity in cubic meters per hour.
This is a guideline, not a guarantee: a long duct, bends, and filters reduce actual airflow, while an oversized hood can be noisy without improving air quality. Let’s look at how to account for your kitchen layout, cooktop type, and venting method to find the right model.
| Option | Ventilation duct required | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted | Yes | Whether it can be connected to a duct |
| Recirculating | No | Filter type and maintenance |
| Gas cooktop | Depends on the mode | Higher capacity requirements |
| Electric or induction cooktop | Depends on the mode | Minimum installation height of 65 cm |
- 12 Multiplier in the preliminary capacity calculation
- 1,3 Additional multiplier in the calculation
- 5–10 см Recommended extra hood width beyond the cooktop
- 65 см Minimum installation height above an electric cooktop
- 75 см Minimum installation height above a gas cooktop
How do you choose a kitchen range hood by operating mode?
Choose an operating mode based on whether you can connect the hood to a ventilation duct: a ducted model sends air outside, while a recirculating model cleans it through filters and returns it to the kitchen. Before buying, check your ventilation setup and the specific model’s manual—these determine the installation requirements and which filters you’ll need.
- Ducted. Air leaves the kitchen through a ventilation duct, carrying steam and odors with it. Before buying, make sure the appliance can be connected to the duct.
- Recirculating. The hood filters the air and returns it to the room; it doesn’t need to be connected to a ventilation duct. Cleaning performance depends on the condition of the filters, so they need to be maintained.
What to check before buying
Whether a model supports both modes depends on the specific model: you can’t tell from the hood’s appearance alone whether it can be ducted or recirculated. Look for the operating modes in the manual and check which filters are required for recirculation.
If the model supports both options, choose the right one after checking the duct. For ducted operation, make sure the appliance can be connected to the ventilation system; for recirculation, factor in filter maintenance. The operating mode affects both installation and the choice of consumables.
How do you calculate range hood capacity based on kitchen size?
Calculation in m³/h
For a preliminary capacity estimate, multiply the kitchen’s floor area in m² by the ceiling height in meters, then by 12 and by a factor of 1,3. The result is a guideline for the minimum air-exchange rate in m³/h.
For example, for a 10 m² kitchen with a 2,5 m ceiling, the calculation is: 10 × 2,5 × 12 × 1,3 = 390 m³/h. Before calculating, work out the room’s volume by multiplying the kitchen’s floor area by the ceiling height; in this example, the volume is 25 m³.
- Gas cooktop: Choose a capacity that accounts for the greater need to remove combustion products.
- Electric or induction cooktop: Its capacity requirements are lower than those of a gas cooktop.
- Cooktop: Take its type into account, not just the kitchen’s floor area—a matching volume calculation doesn’t mean different cooktops have the same requirements.
How do installation height and hood width affect steam capture?
The hood’s width and installation height determine how much steam and grease it captures: choose a hood at least as wide as the cooktop, or ideally 5–10 cm wider, and observe the minimum clearance above the surface.
Hood width matters because rising currents of hot air, steam, and tiny grease particles spread out from the burners instead of going straight up. If the hood is narrower than the cooktop, some polluted air may miss the capture area; an extra 5–10 cm helps cover the cooking surface.
Minimum installation height
- Electric cooktop: Install the hood no lower than 65 cm above it.
- Gas cooktop: Leave at least 75 cm between the cooktop and the hood.
Installation height affects how effectively the appliance captures rising air. When installing, check these minimums against the manual for your specific model: its requirements determine the permitted clearance.
What should you check about installation before buying a range hood?
Before ordering
Before buying a range hood, check where you can vent the air and measure the cooktop and the space available for the appliance. For a ducted model, check the ventilation duct’s location and accessibility: if you can’t route a duct to it, consider recirculation in advance. The hood should be as wide as the cooktop or 5–10 cm wider.
- Ducting: Make sure the ventilation duct is accessible from the planned installation location.
- Mounting: Match the hood type to your kitchen layout; the appliance should sit above the cooktop, not to the side.
- Size: Measure the cooktop width and the space available for the hood.
Before installation
Leave at least 65 cm between an electric cooktop and the hood, and at least 75 cm for a gas cooktop. Measure the height before buying: if the available space doesn’t allow for the required minimum clearance, the model or its planned position may not be suitable.
With recirculation, filtered air returns to the kitchen, so check before ordering which filters the specific model needs and whether they can be replaced. Confirm the filter type and whether it’s replaceable in the manual for your chosen hood.
Why doesn’t the calculated capacity guarantee quiet, effective operation?
Calculated capacity in m³/h is only a guideline: actual performance also depends on the hood’s width, installation height, and connection to the ventilation system. The same capacity rating therefore doesn’t guarantee equally effective capture of steam and odors or quiet operation.
Balancing noise and operating mode
Don’t compare maximum m³/h ratings without checking the noise level in dB and the operating mode those figures refer to: ratings can vary at different speeds. Before buying, compare specifications at the same speed, not just peak capacity.
- Ducted: The hood vents air through a ventilation duct; this setup requires a duct connection.
- Recirculating: The appliance filters the air and returns it to the kitchen rather than venting it outside.
- Installation: Minimum clearance is 65 cm above an electric cooktop and 75 cm above a gas cooktop. Installing the hood higher than these limits may reduce its ability to capture pollutants.
- Width: The hood should be at least as wide as the cooktop; a narrower model is less effective at covering the currents rising from the burners.
Check the installation height and cooktop width before choosing a model: observing the 65 and 75 cm minimums and matching the width help you get the most from the calculated capacity, but don’t guarantee quiet operation.
How do you match a range hood to your kitchen?
Choose a hood based on whether it can be connected to a ventilation duct, your cooktop type, and the specific model’s specifications. If a duct is accessible and suitable for connection, consider a ducted hood; if you can’t vent air through a duct, choose recirculation and find out in advance which filters are needed and how often they must be replaced.
- Ducted: Suitable when the hood can be connected to a ventilation duct. Bear in mind that installation requires this connection.
- Recirculating: An option when connecting to a duct isn’t practical. Check the model’s filter requirements before buying.
- Gas cooktop: Allow for greater capacity than with an electric or induction cooktop: burning gas produces combustion products.
What to check before buying
Compare the calculated capacity with the specifications of the hood you’re considering. For a preliminary estimate of the minimum air-exchange rate, use this formula: kitchen floor area in m² × ceiling height in m × 12 × 1,3. This is a guideline, not a guarantee of equal performance in all conditions.
Then compare the hood’s width with the cooktop: it should be at least as wide and can be 5–10 cm wider. Also check the installation height—at least 65 cm above an electric cooktop and 75 cm above a gas cooktop—and the noise level of the specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What capacity range hood should I choose for a 10 m² kitchen?
How high should a range hood be installed?
How much wider should the hood be than the cooktop?
Which should I choose: ducted or recirculating?
Sources
- mishelfab.ru — “How to choose a kitchen range hood and why you need one”
- candy-home.ru — “How to choose the right kitchen range hood: from capacity”
- RBT.ru — “How to choose a kitchen range hood: types, capacity calculation, noise, filters, and installation”
- forestiqueinc.com — “Kitchen range hoods: how to choose and install one correctly”
- ventolux.ua — “Kitchen range hoods: how to choose an effective one”
