How Many CFM Do You Need For Your Range Hood?

It's all about the CFM when it comes to purchasing a new range hood. CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a unit of measurement for airflow that is often used to characterize the capabilities of HVAC and air conditioning systems. Keep in mind that too little CFM won't give enough ventilation, while too high CFM will raise your utility expenditures.

To calculate a minimum CFM value, divide your stove's BTU rating by 100, according to the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI). A range hood that can produce 35,000 BTUs, for example, must have a CFM rating of 350 or above. You may easily determine the CFM by looking at the breadth of your stove. If your stove is against the wall, 100 CFM of airflow per linear foot of range is recommended. A 24-inch wide range, for example, would necessitate a hood with a CFM rating of 250 or above.

Your kitchen's size should also be considered, as your range hood should be able to thoroughly circulate the air in your kitchen 15 times each hour. This can be done by measuring the size of your kitchen's floor area. Multiply the floor area by the ceiling height to get the total volume of your kitchen. A kitchen with 150 square feet of floor area and an 8-foot ceiling height has a total volume of 1,200 cubic feet. To acquire the needed CFM rating, divide the entire volume by four. A range hood with a rating of 300 CFM is required for a kitchen with a volume of 1,200 cubic feet. Depending on the ductwork, increase the CFM.