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No, range hoods do not necessarily have to be vented outside. Ductless or non-vented range hoods are available, which are common in condos or small kitchens where connecting to external ductwork isn't feasible. These hoods operate by taking in air, filtering it through charcoal filters to help eliminate smoke and odors, and then recirculating the cleaned air back into the kitchen. However, while these recirculating hoods are more versatile, venting to the outside is still the preferred and more effective method for completely removing smoke, odors, and gases from the room.

Smooth galvanized metal ducting is best and safest for venting a hood range. It’s best to avoid flexible and corrugated types of ducting, as these options don’t provide ample airflow and may not meet local code. For specific advice on which type of duct might be best for your kitchen, reach out to a range hood installation professional.

Regular cleaning of filters and checking ducting ensures effective operation.

A higher CFM will make the price of your range hood more expensive. It can be challenging to speculate how much the CFM rating affects price, but ductless range hoods—that don’t need as high of a CFM as ducted range hoods—are less expensive than their alternative. On average, ductless hoods cost between $100 and $300, while ducted hoods can cost as much as $1,000.