Range hoods have come a long way
QUESTION: I am remodeling my kitchen and need a new range hood which is quieter and provides more light than my old one. Are there efficiency differences among them? Does just opening a window work as well?ANSWER: There have been recent advancements in the design of range hoods which improve efficiency and quiet operation. In general, the most efficient range hoods are also the most quiet. This is because efficient blower designs move the air smoothly which also reduces the noise level.Opening a window during mild weather when you are neither heating nor air-conditioning can be effective ventilation for certain types of cooking. When just boiling water, steaming vegetables, etc., the natural ventilation can carry away the excess moisture and heat and provide pleasant fresh air.For other times of the year or when you are cooking greasy foods or foods with a strong odor, running the range hood is much more energy efficient and effective. Just opening a window requires much more air flow than a range hood directly over the range for effective ventilation. Also, greasy droplets tend to settle out of the air before they ever reach the window.Energy Star (www.energystar.gov) has a list of range hoods which meet its energy efficiency requirements. The efficiency of range hoods can be compared by dividing the cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air flow by the amount of electricity (watts) each uses. Most of the Energy Star ones produce about 2.5 to 3.0 cfm of air flow per watt consumed.The type of lighting is important to reduce energy consumption. Range hoods with compact fluorescent bulbs are the most efficient and the light quality is reasonably good. Many range hoods still use halogen lighting. This is not as energy efficient, but halogen bulbs produce a very white light which is easy to work under.It is important to properly locate and size a range hood for maximum effectiveness using the least amount of electricity. As a rule of thumb, a maximum air flow capacity of 50 to 75 cfm per foot width of the range should be adequate. Locating the range hood about 30 inches above the range is ideal, but the height is sometimes limited by cabinets over the range.If you select an efficient, quiet range hood, only two or three speeds is adequate. Models with totally variable speed are available for people who are particularly sensitive to the noise level and indoor air quality. A high-heat safety sensor to automatically switch it up to high speed is good.For island-style range hoods which draw a lot of air, Broan Best models now can communication with fresh air ventilation controls. When the hood is on, a remote damper opens to allow a controlled amount of fresh air into the home.The following companies offer efficient range hoods: Abbaka, 800-548-3932, www.abbaka.com; Broan-Nutone, 800-558-1711, www.broan.com; Dacor, 800-772-7778, www.dacor.com; Imperial Range Hoods, 800-851-4192, www.imperialhoods.com; Vent-A-Hood, 800-331-2492, www.ventahood.com.
Send inquiries to James Dulley, Butler Eagle, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.QUESTION: I plan to replace my central air conditioner with a heat pump and use my gas furnace for backup. The contractor recommended a heat pump with a higher SEER than for a cooling-only unit. Why is this?ANSWER: Many homeowners today are switching to heat pumps instead of central air conditioners. Using a heat pump during mildly cool weather can be more efficient than using a gas or oil furnace.Your heat pump will be used for many more months each year than a cool-only central air conditioner. Even though a higher SEER (efficiency) heat pump costs more initially, since it will run more hours, it will pay back its higher cost.
QUESTION: I had a new roof installed several years ago along with aluminum gutters that were supposed to be no-maintenance. They are discolored now, and the contractor said air pollution caused it. Is this possible?ANSWER: Unfortunately, your contractor might be correct. The air quality in many areas can be so bad, it actually destroys building materials. Scrub them or spray them with a pressure washer to see if it is just mildew.My cousin owns a large fencing company here in Cincinnati. He told me the galvanized chain link fence rusts much faster on the eastern side of town. The prevailing winds from the west carry the city's pollution over the eastern side causing this.
QUESTION: Our contractor told us our air conditioner blower would use less electricity if we kept the blower running continuously. This is supposed to eliminate the surge needed to start the motor each time. Is this true?ANSWER: No, it is not true. A blower motor does use more electricity briefly when it starts. This start-up period is very brief and does not use more electricity than having the blower motor run continuously.If you want to run the blower continuously for better air cleaning or more even room temperatures, install a variable-speed ECM motor. On low continuous air flow speed, it uses only about 25 percent as much electricity as a standard motor.
