VENTILATION PRODUCT GUIDE:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VENTILATION SHOPPING
Maintaining or improving the air quality of a home is very important. It starts in the kitchen by installing a ventilation product to work with your cooking surface. Ventilation captures and removes cooking by-products like smoke, steam and odours before they can affect air quality or damage cabinets and countertops.
Here are the key aspects to consider when looking to buy a ventilation product.
COMPARING NON-VENTED AND VENTED OPTIONS
Vented Exhaust
Many ventilation systems on the market offer vented options, the most common type of configuration. These systems are adept at suctioning cooking by-products like smoke, steam and odours from the cooking surface and ensuring they are exhausted outside the home.
Non-Vented
Non-Vented Recirculation* is intended for kitchens where exhaust to outside a home isn't feasible or where whole home circulation is already present. Recirculating kits can capture smoke, steam and odours that are the result of cooking. After being captured, these by-products are filtered and returned inside the home.
*where permissible by code. Canadian building codes include requirements for air quality such as ASHRAE 62 “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality". Consult local building code requirements prior to installation of ventilation equipment to determine applicable permits venting conditions and air exchange requirements. Maytag products are certified to HVI 915 and 916 in accordance with 9.32.3.10 of Canada's NBC'15.
Maytag offers options for both vented and non-vented exhausts.
UNDERSTANDING THE VENTILATION POWER REQUIRED (CFM)*
The measurement used for vent power is cubic feet per minute (CFM). This measures the velocity at which air flows into or out of the space. Some manufacturers include the certified ratings to HVI 916* Airflow Test Procedure or AHAM HRH-2-2019** Standards as part of their CFM rating.
*Home Ventilation Institute (HVI)
**Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Home Ventilation Institute (HVI)
When a ventilation product is HVI certified, it means that the air flow (CFM rate) and noise level (sones) have undergone testing to determine if it will perform as stated under the rated conditions. Visit the HVI website (www.hvi.org) to see if your ventilation product has been HVI certified and how it will perform based on your desired type of installation (duct configuration and some speed settings).
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Verification
If a ventilation product has been AHAM Verified then an impartial verification of the manufacturer’s air flow (CFM) and noise level (sones) under a variety installation options has been performed. To know if your vent has been AHAM Verified or not, visit www.aham.org. If it has, you should be able to view the results*.
Choosing the Right CFM
It's important to choose an appropriately sized ventilation unit with the right CFM level. The downside of buying a product with a too-low CFM rating, is that it may be unable to successfully ventilate the air in your kitchen. The downside of buying a ventilation system with too high of a CFM level, is that it can create negative pressure, which will result in having to find another method to replenish the air. Furthermore, if the CFM level is too high, air can be removed from places where you may not want it to be removed from.
With respect to figuring out the minimum CFM requirements, think about the cooking techniques you use most often.If you like to sear, blacken and fry or generally use 4 or more burners you may require a higher CFM rating to refresh the air. However higher the CFM the louder the hood will sound. If simmering and sautéing are your favourite techniques, or you normally use only 2 burners, a lower CFM rating could work.
Gas Cooking Surface
If a manufacturer doesn't provide a BTU threshold, you can manually calculate the CFM required. If you use all burners while cooking and cook at high heat, divide total BTUs by 100.
Induction & Radiant Cooking Surfaces
One difference between these cooking surfaces and gas ones is that they produce far less heat. These cooking surfaces should have a CFM rating between 200 - 400 depending on the number of burners and power. Radiant and Induction cooking surfaces must be accompanied by ventilation of the same width.
*ADDITIONAL NOTE: Always review building codes as they require the necessary makeup air provisions for ventilation products. CFM requirements for specific ventilation products are determined based on two factors: the location and installation method. Your City Bylaws are the best place to find this information. Also, speak to your HVAC professional to get the exact requirements specfic to your area.
WHAT ABOUT SOUND LEVEL?
While shopping for a ventilation product, consider sound level. The goal is to not disturb the activity in the rest of your home while the vent is in use. If your home is open concept with clear sightlines, consider investing in quieter appliances.
Sound level is measured in sones. A sone is one unit of noise as heard by someone with regular hearing. A lower sones rating indicates that a ventilation product will operate more quietly.
Maytag ventilation products are tested, certified and labelled in accordance with HVI 915 Loudness Testing and Rating Procedure.
Product CFM and sounds levels are verified in accordance with HVI 920 - 2015 through the AHAM Kitchen Range Hood Certification Program*
CONSIDER SIZE AND CAPTURE AREA
Familiarize yourself with a vent's capture area and why it's important. This is the outermost perimeter of the hood bottom where smoke, steam and odours are captured. The width of the capture area must be the same or larger than the cooking appliance in order to be sufficient.
Maytag ventilation products are available in 30” and 36”.
OPTIONS FOR CONFIGURATION
Wall Mount Ventilation
These hoods are positioned against a wall, allowing air to be vented outside the home. If this isn't possible, you can buy a recirculating kit, which will filter air and then return it to the kitchen.
Island Mount Ventilation
This ventilation can be situated above an island to give the impression that it is "hovering" over the cooking surface. Air is removed through the ceiling and then outside. If external venting isn't viable or isn't what you want, get a recirculating kit to filter the air and then return it as clean air to the kitchen.
Under Cabinet Ventilation
These hoods are situated against the wall, below the cabinet space and right over the cooking surface. You can also look to purchase under cabinet ventilation that slides out when needed. This allows your kitchen to appear more integrated when not in use.
Microwave Hood Combinations (MHCs)
Embrace efficiency and save valuable space with a microwave and ventilation hood combination system. These options are securely installed against an overhead cabinet and a wall. They can be either recirculating or vented. .
Telescoping Downdraft Ventilation
Searching for a streamlined look? This ventilation product can be installed behind a cooktop and into a counter. Push a button to make the exhaust fan either appear to capture smoke at the cooking surface or to go back into hiding, providing a streamlined look.
Custom Ventilation
This has a vent system mounted to the inside of a custom cover. The cover can be made of either metal, wood, plaster or tile. If you go with custom, you will be required to buy a blower and hood liner.
Choose from two types of blowers:
In-line blowers are normally installed in an attic space. They can be outfitted with the same motor as one in an internal hood blower since the noise produced is far away from the kitchen.
Internal blowers are installed above a cooking space. One benefit is that the blower is accessible, making it easier to maintain than some other options.
Hood liners are also on the market. They offer overhead lighting and can trap grease.
Maytag offers all of the above configurations except telescoping downdraft ventilation.
FEATURES TO ENHANCE COOKING
Perimeter Venting
This improves suction by concentrating the airflow in the same way that a vacuum cleaner’s crevice attachment does. It accelerates air as it is pulled through the narrow slots around the ventilation hood’s perimetric cover. The suctioned air is filtered through grease filters before it is exhausted from the kitchen.
Auto Speed Setting
Auto speed setting provides additional convenience by coordinating the ventilation with the heat generated from the cooking surface. It does so by automatically adjusting the speed of the blower motor..
Certain Maytag ventilation products come with LED task lighting to better illuminate a cooking surface.
STYLE AND COLOUR OPTIONS
Add to your kitchen's existing appearance with a colour and style that reflect your personal tastes. Vent hoods are available in white, black, stainless steel and black stainless steel. If you want to customize your hood to complement your kitchen design then custom hood liners might be an option. Pick from a range of styles that includes commercial-style or more modern looks.
LEARN ABOUT INSTALLATION
Prior to making your purchase, consider your current vent duct size. Common sizes are either 3 ¼” x 10” rectangular and 6”, 7”, or 10” round. A lot of vent products can accommodate these sizes but always double check the guide for this and all pertinent information, including about the installation process.
Remember, if the ceilings are higher than 8ft, you may require a duct extension kit to ensure sufficient ducts are available to vent to the home's exterior. Kits that accompany vents are only sufficient for 8ft ceilings.
