Page 38 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016
P. 38
The Homeowner’s Handbook SEVENTH EDITION
Why Homeowners Don’t Use Range
Hoods———and Why They Should
CREDIT: DOE TOUR OF ZERO
Home occupants are not using Only 8 percent of the participants used their ventilation system
whenever they cooked, while 8 percent used ventilation “almost
range hoods to control moisture, never,” and 15 percent used ventilation only “once in a while.”
but “smart” range hoods will do The most common reasons cited for using a kitchen ventilation
system were to control odors and smoke. Noise was the most com-
this task automatically.ONTROLLING MOISTURE BUILD-UP in the home mon reason for avoiding the kitchen ventilation system.
is one of the most important strategies for ensur- OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
ing healthy indoor air. A continually moist en- Since people are more likely to use a fan if it isn’t noisy, always spec
vironment harbors biological pollutants such as an Energy Star-rated unit. Range hoods that have earned the Energy
Star label are not only 70 percent more efficient, they must also
Cmold and dust mites, which can trigger asthma meet standards for noise and efficacy. The Energy Star website also
and other respiratory illnesses. includes a searchable database: http://bit.ly/2dxlYX4
Regular use of kitchen exhaust ventilation systems can help con-
trol moisture. Yet, according to a study published by the Forum for One of the best innovations in range hood technology in recent
Family and Consumer Issues (FFCI), most people don’t use range years has been particle- and heat-sensing devices. In our view, these
hoods for moisture control, but for other issues, such as smoke devices should become the de facto standard across the industry.
and odors. The study, Use of Kitchen Ventilation: Impact on Indoor Further, it’s time for range hoods to be integrated with the Internet
Air Quality, found that noise is a major factor, as is homeowner of Things. For homeowners, reluctant or not, there would be clear
ignorance about the importance of ventilating a modern home. health benefits to regular use of range hoods. And for those who
Most of the participants (92 percent) reported having mechani- choose not to use the hoods, devices that are “smart” can automati-
cal kitchen ventilation systems. Here’s the really interesting part: cally kick on anyway, clearing the air for everyone else who lives
in the building. Visit http://bit.ly/1PReChg to read the full study.
36 GREEN BUILDER The Homeowner’s Handbook 2016 www.greenbuildermedia.com
