1 – The future is very bright with the move towards sleeker designs, with recessed hoods that are integrated into the ceiling and fabric of the room. As well as looks, improved function makes them ideal for open-plan living. They’ll increasingly be able to condition the air as well as remove cooking odours and grease from the room.

2 – There is an old gripe with extraction – that it is noisy. Today, this has all changed, with manufacturers exploring avenues such as ATAG’s patented Air Logic© extraction system: an exceptionally efficient technology that operates quietly. Noise levels can also be affected by mounting the motor on rubber blocks, which deadens the noise, preventing vibration and resonance. One better than this is to use an external motor, which can be installed on an outside wall, in a garage or an attic.

3 – Hoods today are technically elite, and the best brands offer hands-free operation, auto switch-off, run-on times and dimmer switches for preparation and mood lighting. They offer quiet and efficient operation. For the best effectiveness, try wherever possible to extract directly through the wall to the outside, via the shortest possible route, keeping ducting as straight as possible.

4 – It is important to specify a hood for the right reasons, which is ventilation for the benefit of the kitchen living space and the building. It is imperative that you don’t get carried away with ‘the looks’, and forget to consider the extraction rates and therefore the power of the hood. This appliance is not an accessory or an after-thought; to ensure maximum efficiency, it has to be correctly specified and installed according to the volume of the room.

Posted By: Graham Gleave, national sales manager for ATAG UK