The importance of ducting and different types

With Range hoods selling between $150-5k+ more often than not the ducting is an after thought. What ducting your installer uses has major impacts on the performance and noise and only take a couple questions and a few mins to choose the correct ducting

Below are the different types of ducting and some questions or guides to go by which I use myself when making an opinion

Flexi ducting

Used by far majority of the time of these 3 types

Flexi Ducting length

Upside

It’s extremely low cost, a kit will normally being under $100

easy installation, It’s extremely flexible which makes running it never an issue

Down sides

It’s easy to install so it’s rarley ran in straight lines which heavily impacts noise and performance

Constantly used for high performance rangehoods which wastes all the extra money you spend on the better motor

Semi Rigid

Semi Rigid Ducting length

Upside
Inbetween flexible on rigid on quality and price point

comes in extendable lengths which can curve without the need for connectors most of the time

No flex or movement on high performance rangehoods. Really a must on anything over 800m3/hr

Downside

The 3m Length never extends to 3 Metre which is frustrating for installers

Need larger area to create bends without buying individual connectors

Rigid ducting

Upside
Optimum performance for extraction and noise

Fire Proof

Rodent Proof

Due to no flex it can’t be squished or bottlenecked during installation which is the main reason for motor burn out

Downside

Installation cost is normally 2-3x the price of 2 other types of ducting

A lot of installers won’t touch them, not everyone was born to play Tetris on the easy setting

Cost of ducting at cheapest is about $300 but on average would be $500-$800 dependable on how many pieces are needed

Now, The questions I use to determine what to go by.

Firstly, if a range hood company recommends a type. Always use the type they recommend. This doesn’t mean that the range hood you choose is the right fit for your installation though

Does this range hood have over 800m3/hr? If It does awesome! it should do a good job, but it needs Semi rigid ducting. Flexi ducting will move around like a wacky waving inflatable person reducing performance and increase noise

Is the rangehood being ducted to the atmosphere? there is still not code on having to duct to the atmosphere (through the roof or out a wall) and is common shortcut still taken by installers

Are you installing the recommend ducting size by the installation manual? I’m still amazed are how many installers don’t spend 2 mins to read instructions.

Confirm with the installer they won’t be bending the ducting or squishing it during install? These impact performance and noise when they most likely weren’t needed, and if they are the installer should discuss it with your first as you’re paying for extra performance and quieter you are no longer getting your moneys worth