Do gas ranges need to be vented? The answer to this question usually varies based on a wide range of crucial factors. Since not all gas ranges are designed with the same specifications, the actual requirements for adding ventilation for a gas range may differ, too.
Additionally, if you want to make an informed decision based on the regulations that apply to your particular state in the U.S. or abroad, it is important that you do your research before making a final decision. With that being said, in this article, we are going to answer this question by discussing “how to determine if a gas range needs to be vented” in depth. So, here is a basic outline of the key factors to consider.
- Benefits of Properly Vented Gas Ranges
- Requirements for Proper Ventilation based on State Regulations
- Check the owners manual for the specific gas range’s venting requirements
- Most common ventilation types
How to Determine if a Gas Range Needs to be Vented
Are there any benefits to installing properly vented gas range appliances
1. Improve the Health and Safety of the Environment
Choosing the right type of ventilation for a gas range is considered to be an essential part of keeping the environment healthy and safe. Because the primary purpose of adding ventilation to a gas range is to remove smoke and keep the air in the kitchen clear, it is not an option today in areas that are known for the presence of harmful contaminants in the air.
Whether the homeowner has a gas or electric range, a range hood is a reliable option for keeping the air in the kitchen or other areas clear of toxins. For example, the particles from the gas range generate PM 2.5 particles that can be absorbed into an individual’s lungs. Also, when these particles are inhaled, they can travel to other organs like the respiratory system.
Once in the respiratory tract, these particles are extremely harmful to the body, specifically for those people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases. The smoke in the air from the gas range contains a high concentration of irritants that can cause an individual to suffer from coughing, sneezing, problems with running eyes, and other visible health effects.
It is also important to note that there are other fatal risks involved in not having the proper ventilation for a gas range. This is because of the carbon monoxide that is released into the air, too. Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it is not easy to detect.
To avoid these fatal risks, professionals in this industry highly recommend that you install an exhaust hood that will not only remove the smoke from the air but also remove moisture, grease, and aromas from cooking and combustion by-products.
2. Reducing Cooking Odors by installing gas ranges that need to be vented
As mentioned above, some gases like carbon monoxide can be harmful and fatal but do not have a smell. On the other hand, many dishes that people prepare on a gas range do leave bad odors that smell. This is especially true in already poorly ventilated homes that tend to leave odors that may accumulate.
These odors and unpleasant smells may even linger for several days or weeks. Thereby, negatively affecting the overall air quality and freshness in the home. By selecting the right type of ventilation and installing the unit in a kitchen, these units can be very beneficial. For example, an exhaust hood can help maintain a clean, fresh, and safe environment.
3. Improved Comfort – Removes Excessive Heat and Steam
In addition to getting rid of harmful toxins and bad smells, the right type of ventilation system will also help in removing excessive heat and steam. This is because many of these systems are not only designed to maintain cooler temperatures but also make it more comfortable. For example, the cook can stay in the kitchen much longer without feeling hot and uncomfortable.
Additionally, everyone in the kitchen or nearby vicinity will not be negatively impacted by meal preparation activities. In essence, a gas range with the right kind of ventilation system installed is not a luxury but a necessity for all involved. Specifically, if the family does a lot of cooking and eating in smaller areas and spaces.
4. Good Investment: Updates the Kitchen/Aesthetically Pleasing
Even though the first three aforementioned benefits are crucial to determining the actual response to the question, do gas ranges need to be vented? there is another great benefit that homeowners can take advantage of as well. According to many real estate experts, these systems can be a good investment, too.
This is especially true for anyone who is thinking about selling their home at a later date. For example, whenever a homeowner has an opportunity and the funding to install a new more updated unit in their kitchen, they may want to take advantage of it. By choosing the most attractive designs, the look of the kitchen can be completely transformed.
Also, once the transformation is complete, the homeowner may have a much better chance of selling the home quickly. Thereby, prompting the potential buyer to make their buying decision based on the look and feel of the kitchen alone.
What are the Requirements for Proper Ventilation Based State Regulations
While there are no set standards for an across-the-board national code in the gas venting industry, states like Colorado and California have their own unique residential gas range venting requirements. Therefore, when the question, “Should gas ranges be vented”, is posed, residential owners must first check with their local regulations to find the appropriate answer.
Typically, when a gas range is installed in a home, the owner may also seek help from a licensed professional to ensure the safety of the installation is not compromised and the ventilation system is up to code. For instance, here are 2 examples that are relevant to Colorado and California regulations:
Colorado Codes:
In most cases, residential owners are not required to meet specific venting requirements. On the other hand, Colorado does place certain kinds of restrictions on stoves that have been designed with plastic venting. For instance, the stoves that have been made with plastic venting have to undergo a 5 PSI air test to comply with the established regulations.
In addition to complying with these standards, the residential owner must solicit the help of a licensed professional to review the instructions that the manufacturer provides to ensure the code for the unit complies with these regs.
California Codes:
Unlike Colorado, California does have specific ventilation codes for its gas ranges, specifically in the residential areas. Based on these regulations, residential ventilation systems are required to have a minimum of 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Or, the ventilation system must achieve, at the minimum, 5 air exchanges per hour.
These codes apply to new home construction, remodeled homes, and to any additions or alterations with 1,000 square footage or more.
What Does the Owner Manual Require?
Should your gas range have a vented system? The answer to this question is also found in the owner’s manual.
Because there are different types of ventilation systems on the market today, their overall design and installation are critical to the operation and safety of these units. Therefore, it is very important to read the owner’s manual for the requirements before you buy and install a ventilation unit or system in any home.
Here are 3 of the most common ventilation types that you may come across and the requirements that accompany them.
Range Hoods:
To install the proper ventilation for a gas range, one of the most common and popular choices for residential kitchens is the range hood. These appliances are designed to be installed directly above the gas range.
They also serve numerous key functions, including drawing out smoke, odors, and excess heat via the use of a fan. For example, when an individual is cooking on the range, it removes the contaminants and the smells from the air. The unit may be installed with a feature that vents to the outside of the home.
Or, the unit may have features that only circulate the air within the kitchen area and other spaces inside the home.
Ducted Ventilation:
Another gas range vented option for these types of appliances is ducted ventilation.
The ducted ventilation systems are designed to vent the air in another effective way. When installed properly, the smoke, odors, and contaminants in the air are routed outside of the home.
Thereby, leaving the kitchen with clean and fresh air without leaving a trace of smoke or odors inside the home.
Recirculating Ventilation/ Ductless Range Hoods
Even though ducted ventilation may be the best option for some homeowners, other alternatives can be used for venting a gas range instead. And, this alternative is known as recirculating ventilation or ductless range hoods.
These recirculating ventilation systems do not route the smoke outside of the home but recirculate it back into confined spaces. While this may not be as effective as ductless range hoods, they do serve similar functions. For instance, the ductless range hoods improve the indoor air quality by redirecting odors and contaminants back into the kitchen.
Final thoughts
When you buy a gas range for your home, should you also invest in a ventilation appliance or system? As mentioned above, the answer to this question is not always as simple as most people may believe.
Yet, there is quite a bit of information online that addresses this topic in a more thorough way. This is primarily because there are quite a few factors involved that make up the best solution for your home, including considering the actual benefits of properly vented gas range solutions, state code regulations, recommended requirements from the owner’s manual, and the type of range ventilation system or appliance involved.