Kitchen exhaust fans are essential for keeping your kitchen fresh and odor-free, but they can also be a source of noise that can be disruptive and annoying.
If you’ve ever had to shout over the roar of your exhaust fan, you know just how frustrating it can be.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the noise from your kitchen exhaust fan and make your kitchen more peaceful and enjoyable.
In this article, we’ll explore some effective techniques and tips for reducing kitchen exhaust fan noise, so you can cook and entertain without the distraction of a noisy fan.
Facts About Kitchen Range Hood And Noise Levels
Depending on the CFM rating of the blower, the price of a range hood is measured in sones. There is a direct correlation between the CFM of the range hood and its noise level.
Therefore, buying a range hood with a lower CFM is the surefire way to make it quieter. However, if you want to use a range hood to remove grease, smoke, and cooking exhaust from your kitchen, it will make noise.
There are range hoods that are quieter than others, but none of them are completely silent. It might not be necessary to replace your entire range hood.
Choosing the perfect range hood for your kitchen takes time and effort. The purchase process includes research, ordering, unpacking, inspecting, and installing the product.
Fortunately, you can make your range hood quieter in a few simple steps, leaving your family and yourself comfortable. So, let’s check them out.
5 Easy Methods To Reduce Kitchen Exhaust Fan Noise
While your kitchen exhaust fan is operating, hearing a low humming noise is normal. However, if it is getting too loud, you can take some steps to reduce the noise.
1. Run The Range Hood At Lower Speeds
Running your range hood at lower speeds is the most efficient way to make it quiet. Almost every range hood from Proline Range Hoods is equipped with a variable-speed blower.
It is commonly found that most models have four speeds, but some have three, and some even have six. Power increases and decreases with the knob instead of specific CFM settings for speeds one to four.
If you are looking to buy a range hood, we always recommend buying one that is larger and more powerful. As a result, you can run it at slower speeds while still enjoying great performance.
2. Tighten Any Loose Parts On Your Range Hood
It is possible for the screws on the blower to loosen and rattling noises to be heard. It is easy to inspect the screws on the blower by removing the filters. It is recommended that you tighten them if they are loose.
Ensure the support screws in the back and sides of your hood are also tightened. Everyone doesn’t choose these screws, but they can be useful for adding extra support.
3. Keep The Filters Clean To Prevent Grease Buildup Inside The Blower
Cleaning the range hood filters consistently is the best way to ensure your range hood remains in good condition for years to come.
Depending on how often you cook, the filters should be thrown in your dishwasher in four to six weeks.
No cleaning requirements exist for ductless range hoods based on their replaceable charcoal filters.
You can prevent heavy grease and dirt buildup inside the range hood blower if you maintain your filters regularly. Cleaning the blower will make your range hood run more efficiently.
4. Buy A Hood Compatible With An Inline Blower
Your range hood’s ductwork is not home to an inline blower. Instead, it sits in your ductwork. It is far from your cooktop and much quieter than a local blower inside your range hood.
5. Increase The Size Of Your Ductwork
There is one final method on this list that is a little more time-consuming, but it works. The wider the ductwork, the easier it is to move air through it and away from your residence.
The duct system will be less susceptible to resistance, resulting in a quieter and more efficient operating system.
It is important to remember that your range hood could be noisy for reasons unrelated to its fan. You may be in a larger kitchen where the sound is emitted from every corner.
A double range or double grill setup with two range hoods may be ideal for you. Especially if you run both hoods simultaneously, the sound will be twice as loud as if you only bought one.
Additionally, ducted hoods are generally louder than ductless hoods due to their greater power.
What Can You Do to Soundproof a Kitchen Exhaust Fan?
Generally, the design or installation of the range hood might amplify the humming sound from the kitchen exhaust fan when it doesn’t show any obvious damage.
There is a possibility that you will hear a loud noise through the duct when the fan is running or an echo effect that will amplify the noise produced by the installation. The following steps can be taken to soundproof your kitchen hood:
- Using vinyl insulation, cover the liner on the outside.
- foam insulation will also prevent the duct from rattling and creating a tighter fit.
- Insulating the outside of the duct is an easy way to reduce rattling, absorb sound, and prevent condensation and humidity problems.
- Avoid adding insulation to the range hood or duct, which could increase fire risks and reduce efficiency.
Are There Additional Steps You Can Take to Reduce Kitchen Exhaust Fan Noise?
Maintaining your exhaust fan, cleaning it regularly, and adding insulation to your air ducts can all reduce noise. Noise management can also be achieved in the following ways:
You should regularly turn the fan on at high speed when you cook. After a few minutes, you can turn off your fan after eliminating any odors, heat, or grease from your indoor air.
If you need to cook in a quiet space, try cooking when you don’t need a quiet environment. When cooking, close the kitchen door if you can.
To reduce noise propagation throughout your home, you should consider insulating your kitchen. The use of soundproof drapes or curtains is likely to absorb sound waves, as is the use of an area rug that is thick.
Bookshelves can prevent noise from reaching other rooms if the noise from your kitchen reaches them. You can absorb sound waves for a low price by reading books.
Be sure to inspect the area around your range hood. During operation, the fan may cause vibrations that cause kitchen cabinets to rattle and make noise.
Using caulk can enhance your kitchen cabinets’ performance, seal small openings, and limit vibrations.
Having empty kitchen cabinets near the hood duct can cause an echo effect and magnify noises caused by the fan. Use bags of flour or other items to fill these cabinets that will absorb sound waves.
Can Cleaning Your Exhaust Fan Help with the Noise?
It is also possible that your exhaust fan may be making unusual noises due to debris or grease buildup inside the housing.
The range hood’s filter should catch grease particles and debris before they reach the fan, but a clogged filter can create problems.
Keep an eye out for debris buildups and grease in your fan since these can damage the blades and motor.
You can also get a thin oil film on the inside of your kitchen hood caused by cooking oil. To protect moving parts from wear and tear, you should regularly clean them.
You will also experience lower energy bills since the hood range will work more efficiently once cleaned.
When you cook regularly, you should clean your hood range once a month. Whenever you don’t cook, you shouldn’t clean the inside of the hood as often.
We suggest cleaning your range hood if you accidentally burn something or cook a large meal.
You should pay attention to the performance of your exhaust fan. Whenever your air purifier doesn’t eliminate smoke or odors as well as usual, it may need to be cleaned.
To get to the bottom of unusual noise, cleaning the filter is a good way to start troubleshooting. If the performance of your hood range has changed, cleaning is a simple fix.
Check the exhaust fan for damage if cleaning doesn’t resolve the problem or get a professional to solve the problem. The removable filter catches grease and debris on range hoods before they reach the fan.
An opening in a vent usually allows you to remove this filter. Let the filter soak in a degreasing solution before cleaning. For stubborn grease residue, use a soft-bristled brush.
Cleaning the filter will help you remove grease buildup from the inside of your kitchen hood. For stubborn buildups, use a degreaser and a soft-bristled brush.
Is A Customized Installation Worth It?
Installing a customized hood range is more expensive, but you can reduce noise with it. The inside of a hood range appliance typically has a fan. Although it’s affordable, having an exhaust fan in your kitchen can make it noisy.
You can use an outside van closer to the air vent if you want a customized installation. The sound of an exhaust fan will be reduced if it is located away from your kitchen.
Having the duct insulation added by the professional who installs your range hood will help absorb noise.
While a customized hood range installation costs more, it’s worthwhile to consider if an old exhaust fan needs to be replaced. Professionals may be able to reduce the costs of an existing hood range if they work with you.
When Is it Time to Hire a Professional to Deal with Kitchen Exhaust Fan Noise?
Call a professional repairman if your kitchen exhaust fan is making excessive noise. If you know how to clean the hood range or don’t want to accidentally unhinge the fan, hire someone to do it for you.
You should hire a professional if you hear grinding or rattling noises coming from the fan. If the part is damaged, it must be replaced.
Whenever your hood range doesn’t seem to work as well as it did in the past, you should also hire someone to inspect your exhaust fan and replace any damaged parts.
You will have to work harder to eliminate heat and cooking odors if your hood range has damage to one or more parts, has an ill-aligned belt, or has a clogged filter.
Final Words
If your kitchen exhaust fan is loud, you need to check for damage or misaligned parts and clean the fan and filter.
Consider improving your insulation and preventing sound waves from propagating. Consider adding insulation to your hood range and customizing its installation to reduce noise if its design is excessive.
So that wraps up our guide to making your range hood quiet. Hopefully, you can reduce the noise of your hood with some of these tips.
