Glossary of Kitchen Ventilation Terms

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24-Hour Fresh Air Mode

A user-selectable function available on some Futuro Futuro range hood models, that turns on the range hood for 15 minutes at the lowest setting, then off for an hour, then back on for 15 minutes, and so on.
While consuming very little power, this creates a constant flow of air from the outside into the house, keeping the oxygen content high and ventilating any residual cooking odors.
Models equipped with this function will have an additional “24h” icon on the control panel.

A

Air Pollution

Unpleasant and/or harmful substances released into the air during the process of cooking. Contains: steam, smoke, odors, carbon monoxide, and/or grease. Range hoods remove airborne pollution by a combination of filtering and extracting the contaminated air.
Ducted range hoods remove all forms of air pollution, by filtering airborne grease, then evacuating air to outside of residence.
Ductless hoods use carbon filters (in addition to grease filters) to remove odors, and recirculate the cleaned air into the room. However, ductless range hoods cannot remove excess heat and moisture.
Although all Futuro Futuro range hoods can be used in either ducted or ductless mode, it is recommended to use a duct whenever possible, in order to remove all forms of air pollution.

• Related Terms: Carbon Filter, Ducted, Ductless, Grease Filter.

AISI 304

Specific grade of austenitic stainless steel, classified as having a minimum 18% chromium content as well as minimum 8% nickel content. With the addition of chromium and nickel, the AISI 304 stainless steel offers increased resistance to corrosion (rust), as well as appealing visual characteristics (bright shiny surface, with no possibility of discoloration or yellowing over time).

• Futuro Futuro products are manufactured using only AISI 304 stainless steel, in order to assure the highest possible quality.

B

Backdraft Damper

A valve (spring-loaded or gravity-operated) installed inside a duct. During range hood operation, the air pressure causes the valve to open, allowing polluted air to be exhausted outside. When the range hood is shut off, the backdraft damper closes, preventing outside air from entering the ductwork.

• Related: see the FAQ for advice on damper installation.

Blower

The heart of the range hood, the blower is the device that moves air.
Sometimes, the terms “fan” and “blower” are used interchangeably; however, technically, fans are designed to operate at lower speeds, whereas blowers are engineered to move air at higher speed and pressure.
Depending on the location of the blower, it may be referred to as:

• “Internal” – inside the actual range hood unit
• “Inline” or “Remote” – outside the range hood but still inside the house (e.g. in attic / garage / between ceiling joists)
• “External” – outside the house, in a weather-resistant enclosure

All Futuro Futuro range hoods feature built-in blowers, so you do not need to purchase a blower or “power pack” separately.

• Related: External Blower, Fan, Inline Blower, Remote Blower.

BTU

Acronym of “British Thermal Unit”, used to measure the heat output of gas-fueled appliances.

• Related: Watt (for electric appliances).

Boost Mode

In general terms – the highest speed of a range hood combined with a safety feature that automatically reduces speed to a lower level after a preset time.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods with 4-speed electronic controls include this safety feature, which will automatically step down to Speed 3 after 15 minutes of operation, in order to prevent the range hood from suctioning out too much air (and raising your cooling/heating bill) if left unattended.

• Also called: “Intensive Mode”, “Turbo Mode”.
• Related: “Delayed Shut-Off (feature)”

C

Carbon Filter

Cartridge or cassette filled with activated charcoal, used to filter contaminants from the air. Required in ductless range hoods, as it will remove other contaminants after airborne grease has been absorbed by grease filters.
Carbon filters cannot be washed or cleaned, and should be replaced every few months (depending on amount of cooking).
Please note: if your range hood will be connected to an outside duct – please discard the carbon filter (if included). Since the air will be extracted to the outside, the carbon filter is not necessary, and it will only reduce airflow and create additional noise.

• Also called: charcoal filter, activated charcoal filter, “black filter”, and other variations.
• Related: Ducted, Ductless, Grease Filter.

CFM

Acronym of “Cubic Feet Per Minute”, used to measure the airflow capacity of ventilation appliances.

Chimney

Also called “vertical chimney”, this is the part of the hood that extends from the hood body toward the ceiling.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods, with the exception of a couple of models, feature height-adjustable chimneys, allowing them to be installed under a variety of ceiling heights.
On island-mount hoods, the chimney is composed of 2 main parts: the outer polished stainless steel “cover”, and the inner load-bearing “structural piece” (framework).
On wall-mount hoods, the chimney is not load-bearing, but still provides the important function of covering the duct, mounting brackets, electrical outlet, and other components.

• Related: “Height-Adjustable”,“Mounting Height”

D

Damper

See Backdraft Damper.

Delayed Shut-Off (feature)

All Futuro Futuro range hoods with 4-speed electronic controls include this feature, which will automatically turn off the range hood (blower and lights) after a 15-minute delay. Finish cooking, press the timer button, and walk away – the hood will scrub the remaining odors, then turn itself off.

• Also called: “Timer Shutdown”, “Delayed Shutdown”.
• Related: “Boost Mode (feature)”.

Ducted

Refers to a range hood installed with a duct (“air pipe”) leading outside the house.
Ducted range hoods remove all forms of airborne pollution, and do not require the use of carbon filters. This leads to higher performance compared to ductless installation, and does not cause additional noise or expense.

• Also called: “Vented”, “Outside Discharge”.
• Related: Carbon Filter, Ductless, Grease Filter.

Ductless

Refers to a range hood installed without an outside duct. Ductless range hoods use a combination of grease filters and carbon filters to remove most forms of airborne contaminants.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods can be installed in either ducted or ductless configurations; ductless installation requires use of carbon filters (sold separately).

• Also called: “Recirculating”, “Ventless”.
• Related: Carbon Filter, Ducted, Grease Filter.

E

• External Blower

  A blower motor unit installed not only outside of the range hood, but outside of the house (in an outdoor-rated enclosure).
  Placing the blower outside of the house reduces operational noise, but requires additional expense and labor.

  • Related: Inline Blower, Remote Blower.

F

Fan

Any device that moves air or other gas.
Often, the terms “fan” and “blower” are used interchangeably. However, there is a difference – a “blower” is a specific type of fan, engineered to perform at high speeds (whereas fans are typically effective at lower speeds).

• Related: Blower.

G

Grease

One of the forms of airborne pollution caused by cooking. Can combine with other substances to create a sticky film on kitchen surfaces, and may damage kitchen cabinetry by attracting mold and fungi growth.
Range hoods use grease filters to remove airborne grease.

• Related: Airborne Pollution, Grease Filter, Steam.

Grease Filter

Most range hoods are equipped with mesh filters, which capture airborne grease between layers of metal mesh.
Some models are equipped with baffle filters, which utilize overlapping shapes of solid metal to capture grease droplets.
Unlike charcoal filters, grease filters are made from metallic materials (typically, anodized aluminum or stainless steel), and do not need to be replaced under normal use.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods include metal grease filters, which are easily removable and dishwasher-safe.

H

Height-Adjustable

Refers to an island-mount or wall-mount range hood with a vertical chimney whose height can be adjusted to fit various ceiling heights.
Does not apply to undercabinet and insert/liner hoods, as they do not have a chimney by design.

• Related: Mounting Height.

I

Inline Blower

A blower motor unit installed outside the range hood, but still within the house (for example, in the attic or between joists).
Like an external blower, this setup reduces operational noise. Unlike the external blower, it does not require additional outdoor-rated enclosure.

• Related: Blower, External Blower.

Inox

“Inox” is the colloquial form of “Inossidabile”, the Italian term for “Stainless Steel”.
In conjunction with Futuro Futuro model names, the term refers to the all-steel version of a particular design, to distinguish it from the steel-and-glass version. For example: the “Mystic Glass” model has a steel body with a tempered-glass panel, while the “Mystic Inox” has both the body and the panel made from stainless steel.

Insert

A type of range hood designed for installation inside a cabinet or custom-built enclosure.
Futuro Futuro offers several types of insert range hoods, with integrated blowers, wireless remote controls, and liner panels.
Visit the Insert – Under Cabinet Range Hoods category to see available models.

Island-Mount

A range hood designed to be attached to the ceiling above the cooking surface located on a center island or peninsula (as opposed to a wall-mount range hood).
Visit the Island Range Hoods category to see all available island-mount range hood models.

• Related: WallMount.

K

Kitchen Hood

Synonym for Range Hood.

L

Lighting

Range hood lighting comes in a variety of forms. Most common types are: halogen, fluorescent, incandescent, and LED. Island-mount range hoods are typically equipped with 4 lights, while wall-mount hoods include 2 or 3.
Modern range hoods are usually outfitted with halogen or LED lights, while classic or country-style hoods feature incandescent lights to match the typically warmer color palette of country-style kitchens. However, recent advances in LED technology, as well as energy-conservation principles, are leading to incandescent and halogen lights being phased out in favor of LED’s.
Designer models that feature a “lightstrip” effect (such as the Futuro Futuro Edge and Streamline) are equipped with long-life fluorescent bulbs, in order to provide a continuous line of light necessary for the special effect.
The Futuro Futuro “Murano Collection” line of illuminated-glass range hoods is available with combination lighting (halogen work lights + incandescent internal lights) or with energy-efficient LED lights all around.

Liner

Traditionally, refers to the metal trim panel that covers the space between a range hood insert and the cabinet walls. A potential source of confusion is that some retailers use this term to refer to the range hood insert itself, not the surrounding trim panel.
The Futuro Futuro series “Insert-Liner” features range hood inserts with an integrated liner panel & mounting clips, so there’s no need to purchase or make a separate liner panel.

• Related: Insert.

Louver

A duct accessory that allows air to pass through it, while keeping out dust, water, and debris. Typically consists of multiple blades or panels within an enclosing frame.
Fixed panels are more durable, but hinged or movable panels have the added bonus of keeping out backdrafts (reverse airflow).

M

Mounting Height

The distance between the cooking surface and the range hood. For best performance, range hood should be installed at a height of 26″ to 28″ above the cooktop or range.
Note: this height recommendation does not apply to the “Skylight” series hoods, since they’re mounted into the ceiling and are designed to ventilate the entire room.

Murano Collection

The latest series of unique range hoods by Futuro Futuro, featuring wrap-around glass shrouds with designer patterns, as well as internal illumination, to create a stunning effect.
Available in island-mount and wall-mount versions.
Many of the Murano Collection models are available with a choice of halogen or LED lighting (as noted in the model name).

P

Perimeter Suction Filter System

One of the latest developments in range hood technology, this engineering approach replaces traditional mesh filters with “airflow collector slots” surrounding a center panel (or panels). Air flow speeds up when forced through a smaller space, creating an “air curtain” effect to trap airborne contamination.
This technology offers several advantages over the standard mesh filters:

• Improved edge capture – in traditional range hoods, suction is strongest at the center and weakest at the edges; Perimeter Suction distributes the airflow more evenly, resulting in improved capture performance at the edges of the range hood.
• Appearance – instead of mesh filters, all that’s visible is a smooth polished stainless steel panel.
• Ease of cleaning – the smooth stainless steel panel is as easy to clean as the rest of the hood body.
• Lower noise – the inside of the deflector panel is coated with a sound-absorbing material which reduces operational noise.

• Also called: “perimetric suction”, “perimeter aspiration”, and many other variations.

S

Silent System

Even though Futuro Futuro range hoods are extremely quiet, we offer an optional accessory called the “Silent System” for customers who want to make their range hood as quiet as humanly possible.
The Silent System is a multi-layer sound-insulated module designed to replace the first 2 feet of ducting, immediately above the blower.
A signification portion of the overall noise of the range hood comes from the sound of the turbulence in the duct, as the blower is compressing air into a smaller space.
By installing a sound-insulated “silencer” right in the area where most of the turbulence occurs, the operational noise can be lowered by an additional 20-25% (actual results vary, depending on the installation parameters).

Steam

Water vapor created by the cooking process. One of the forms of airborne pollution caused by cooking. Can act as carrier for other forms of pollution, and can damage kitchen cabinetry by condensing on surfaces and attracting mold and fungi growth.
A range hood ducted to the outside will eliminate the excess moisture, making the cooking process more comfortable and keeping the kitchen clean.

• Related: Airborne Pollution, Grease.

Sone

The appliance industry standard unit of noise measurement. One sone is the equivalent of the quiet humming sound of a typical refrigerator.
Originally proposed by the psychophysicist Stanley Smith Stevens as a replacement for the decibel, which is a relative unit, the sone has become the default standard of comparing the volume of sound as perceived by human ear, rather than as measured by instruments under specific conditions and at specific frequencies.
For example, a typical conversation in a quiet room is 1-4 sones, while a passenger car driving by is 4-12 sones.
An appliance that produces 4 sones is exactly twice as loud as one producing 2 sones.
For comfortable operation, especially during extended cooking sessions, a range hood should not exceed 4-5 sones.

R

Range Hood

A kitchen appliance that hangs above the cooking surface and eliminates air pollution produced by cooking, via a combination of filtering and extracting air.
Range hoods are available in a stunning variety of sizes, designs, materials, and airflow ratings.

Rear Exhaust

Available on some wall-mount range hoods, this option refers to ductwork exiting directly from the back of the range hood body, as opposed to the traditional method of exiting from the top of the unit.
This allows models such as “Diamond”, “Quest”, and the wall-mount versions of the Murano Collection, to be installed in kitchens with low ceilings, where a traditional wall-mount hood would not fit due to insufficient vertical clearance.
In addition, having the ductwork exit directly through the wall eliminates the need for a vertical chimney, enhancing the ultra-modern visual aspect of such model designs, as well as typically creating a shorter duct run, which results in improved airflow & lower operational noise.

Remote Blower

Refers to the placement of the blower outside the range hood (but still inside the house, i.e. in the attic or between joists, as opposed to an external blower).
Synonymous with “inline blower”.

• Related: Blower, External Blower, Inline Blower.

Roof Jack

A pre-manufactured duct accessory that is installed through the roof of a house. Usually includes a duct connector, insulation, flashing (trim plate), and a cap.

S

Silent System

Even though Futuro Futuro range hoods are extremely quiet, we offer an optional accessory called the “Silent System” for customers who want to make their range hood as quiet as humanly possible.
The Silent System is a multi-layer sound-insulated module designed to replace the first 2 feet of ducting, immediately above the blower.
A signification portion of the overall noise of the range hood comes from the sound of the turbulence in the duct, as the blower is compressing air into a smaller space.
By installing a sound-insulated “silencer” right in the area where most of the turbulence occurs, the operational noise can be lowered by an additional 20-25% (actual results vary, depending on the installation parameters).

Steam

Water vapor created by the cooking process. One of the forms of airborne pollution caused by cooking. Can act as carrier for other forms of pollution, and can damage kitchen cabinetry by condensing on surfaces and attracting mold and fungi growth.
A range hood ducted to the outside will eliminate the excess moisture, making the cooking process more comfortable and keeping the kitchen clean.

• Related: Airborne Pollution, Grease.

Sone

The appliance industry standard unit of noise measurement. One sone is the equivalent of the quiet humming sound of a typical refrigerator.
Originally proposed by the psychophysicist Stanley Smith Stevens as a replacement for the decibel, which is a relative unit, the sone has become the default standard of comparing the volume of sound as perceived by human ear, rather than as measured by instruments under specific conditions and at specific frequencies.
For example, a typical conversation in a quiet room is 1-4 sones, while a passenger car driving by is 4-12 sones.
An appliance that produces 4 sones is exactly twice as loud as one producing 2 sones.
For comfortable operation, especially during extended cooking sessions, a range hood should not exceed 4-5 sones.

T

Tempered Glass

Glass that has been toughened by special process to increase its strength. Unlike regular glass, tempered glass is extremely hard to break. Once tempered, the glass panel is almost impossible to cut or modify – this is why mounting holes and beveled edges are cut at the factory before the tempering process.
The tempered glass used on Futuro Futuro range hoods (except the “Murano Collection” series) is clear transparent, although it may be colorized on some photos to make the glass stand out against the white background.
It’s worth noting that due to the chemical changes during the toughening process, the edge of tempered glass will have a slight green tint to it (same as other forms of tempered glass, such as auto glass or security glass).

• Related: Murano Collection.

U

Undercabinet

Type of range hood designed to be installed under a cabinet, without any intrusion into the cabinet space.
While among the least expensive types (compared to island-mount and wall-mount range hood types), undercabinet hoods suffer from several disadvantages: their small formfactor limits blower power and duct size; design impact is minimal or nonexistent; hood dimensions typically need to match the cabinetry, limiting choices.
A good compromise between having an unobtrusive (or “invisible”) hood, without losing performance, is an “Insert” type hood, which fits inside the cabinet, rather than trying to squeeze in under it. Visit the Insert – Under Cabinet Range Hoods category to see our selection of in-cabinet hoods.

• Related: Island-mount, Wall-mount.

V

Vented

See “Ducted”.

Ventless

See “Ductless”.

W

Wall-Mount

A type of range hood designed to be installed on a vertical wall directly behind the cooking surface (as opposed to an island-mount range hood).
Visit the Wall Range Hoods category to see our selection of wall-mount range hoods.

• Related: Island-mount, Undercabinet.

Wall Louver

A louver mounted on a vertical wall.

Watt

Unit of power used to measure the heat output of electric cooking appliances.
1 watt = 1 joule of energy per second.
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts.

• Related: BTU (for gas appliances).