Many of you have an exhaust hood over your stove appliance. When you turn that fan on, is it going to exhaust the air to the outside with a duct, or recirculation in your kitchen?

Today’s homes are made tighter than ever. Exhaust systems affect indoor air quality by removing cooking vapors, grease, and moisture. Recirculating fans are not adequate ventilation systems. They should all be exhausted to the outdoors. Weather from your dryer, bathroom or kitchen. The duct should be made of smooth metal inner walls and not flexible plastic, because plastic cannot contain a fire. The ducts should be independent of all other ducts and as straight as possible to the outside air, not the attic, soffit, ridge vent, or crawl space. Many older homes vent to the soffit. The exhaust hood should have a backdraft damper that opens freely, to prevent infiltration of outdoor air when the system is not operating. It may be wise to crack open a window for fresh air while using your exhaust fan. Make sure to check and clean your grease screens above your stoves regularly. Stay healthy and breathe freely.