COMPAIR® Ventilation technology

GUIDE TO EXTRACTOR SYSTEMS FOR KITCHENS

Guide to
extractor systems
for kitchens

Recommendations
for planners, consultants
and users
VENTILATION TECHNOLOGY
 GUIDE TO EXTRACTOR SYSTEMS
Guide to extractor systems
for kitchens

The entire package matters

Odors, grease and moisture produced during cooking should

not make their way to the living room. To remove or neutralize these
as completely as possible, a powerful kitchen ventilation system
alone does not suffice. Too many factors determine the efficiency and
performance of the overall system. After all, moving air is a special
medium. To define the optimum for users of modern kitchen technology

Ventilation against the background of current and future building standards,

the authors of this research have carried out a large number of studies,
technology researched the fundamentals and made calculations. This brochure
summarizes the main results and includes some surprising ones. In
summary, they provide important information that can be used to
plan and implement all types of kitchen hood and vent systems in an
efficient, energy-saving and convenient way.

The Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden and the ITG Dresden Institute for Building Systems
Engineering as well as the Passive House Institute, Darmstadt, which was also responsible
for project management, were involved in the study. The technical partners included Naber
GmbH, a manufacturer of kitchen accessories, a supplier of kitchen ventilation systems and
a manufacturer of kitchen furniture.

Projectpartners

Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden

gemeinnützige GmbH

Institut für Technische

Gebäudeausrüstung Dresden
iTG Forschung und Anwendung GmbH
Prof. Oschatz, Prof. Hartmann,
Implementation of Prof. Werdin

VENTILATION TECHNOLOGY
extractor systems—safe, efficient Passivhaus Institut
Funded by:
and convenient planning
Dr. Wolfgang Feist
the Federal Institute for Research on
Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial
Development, within the Federal Office
Naber GmbH for Building and Regional Planning.
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

Overview
Content

Circula- Instructions for

tion circulating air mode
P. 4 P. 9

Wall hoods,
Diagonal chimney
hoods, Built-in h. …
P. 5

Positioning
the hood
P. 6 Recommendations
Type of Island hoods
depending on the
hood P. 5
building standard and
P. 5 building equipment
Dimensioning the P. 12
air performance
P. 7

Cooktop
extractors
P. 5
Special features
for energy-­efficient
buildings
P. 16

Instructions for
Exhaust exhaust air operation
P. 4 P. 10

Further information
Bibliography
P. 16

2 3
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

1 Overview of available The different designs In addition, different types can be distinguished. The
choice is largely determined by the available space,
of extractor systems
extractor systems
but also by design ideas and cooking habits.

Exhaust vs. Circulation

Most extractor systems can be operated either as

circulating or exhaust air units. The recommended DESIGNS IN COMPARISON
operating mode depends on various criteria,
which will be discussed in the following sections. A
Wall hoods,
diagonal chimney hoods,
built-in hoods
EXHAUST AIR OPERATION CIRCULATING AIR MODE

B C
Island hoods Cooktop
extractors

• The extracted vapour* incl. moisture and • The extracted vapour is filtered and returned
odours is led to the outside. to the room.

• The air volume flow has to be returned to • Moisture is not taken away, so this extraction
the room by means of suitable measures. system should provide a basic air exchange
in the kitchen.

• The removal of odours depends on the efficiency

of the filter system, the maintenance condition
and the type of domestic ventilation.

* Cooking vapour from water vapour, aerosols and fats

4 Overview of available extractor systems Overview of available extractor systems 5

 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

2 General planning Determination of the air volume flow of extractor systems according
to AMK-008, draft 04/2018
information
800

700 with addition

POSITIONING maximum
THE HOOD 600

Air volume flow, in m3/h

minimum
500

400

300

200

100

0
10 20 30 40
50 – 60 cm

A Kitchen base area, in m2

Air volume flow (q in m3/h)

q COOKZONE*
in m3 /h
1
The lower edge of the hood is usually mounted 3
A distance to adjacent furniture according to

A
min. max.
at a distance H of 50–60 cm (65 cm in combi- manufacturer's specifications is recommended to
nation with a gas hob) from the upper edge of prevent moisture damage to adjacent furniture. 100 150 with addition
the hob. Larger distances should be avoided as n, in 1/h
If possible, island or wall hoods are to be 200
these increase the required exhaust air volume 4 (Kitchen base area),
preferred to cooktop extractors. Initial investi- in m2 min. max. with addition
flow. Even a 20 cm higher arrangement of the ex-
gations in [BewDunst] (P. 20) showed that the
tractor hood can increase the required captured 2 6 8
capturing of vapours above the hob is more
air flow rate by 20 %*.
effective. 10 150 300 400

2
Wall-­m ounted hoods are preferable to 20 200 450 600
island hoods where possible, as the capturing of * Estimation according to [VDI 2052] (P. 20)
30 250 600 650
vapours is more stable and effective. With the
40 300 650 650
same capturing, the volume flow of hoods mounted
on a wall can be selected approx. 40 % lower*. * The addition is recommended to compensate for loss of performance.
e.g. by odour filters and if the exhaust air routing is not optimal.

assumption h=2,5 m

6 General planning information General planning information 7

 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

Dimensioning the Relative estimation of the required captured

air flow rate as a function of the arrangement
air performance of the hood in the room and of the hob
based on [VDI 2052]

Usually, the air volume flow for the extractor system is

Height
dimensioned according to the floor area of the kitchen
Hob Hood arrangement
or according to the room volume and the resulting
air change, see illustration [AMK] on page 7. In larger Base area Height H Wall hanging Freely suspended Required capture
kitchens with large dining areas or open kitchens, Length Width above (island solution) air flow as a per-
the process inevitably leads to very high-­volume flows, hob [cm] centage of reference
since the process is oriented towards reducing odours value1
in the room, whereby it is assumed that odours enter the
room as a result of cooking.
Maximum air flow with the same
The primary goal, however, is a good capturing of the devices
cooking vapour in order to minimise the spread of
600
odorous substances into the room as far as possible.
A good capturing of kitchen vapours is therefore 500

essential in order to effectively reduce the room air 400

pollution caused by cooking processes. The capturing 300
of vapours is largely independent of the floor area
200
of the kitchen, but is significantly influenced by room
air flows. 100

m3/h Extraction Recirculation

Gas / electric 80 100 %

The volume flow required for a Rough calculations (cf. table on page 9) show that the
actual required captured air flow rate for hood systems 60 80 %
good capturing of vapours is with good collection can be significantly lower than for 80 65 %
rather determined by the position designs of the air performance according to the kitchen
60 50 %
of the extractor hood in the floor area (cf. table on page 7). Here, the capturing is
mainly influenced by the arrangement of the hood in the
room and the design of the ex- room and the sensitive heat output of the hob. Current
tractor hood. Other decisive measurements confirm this [BewDunst] (P. 20).
factors for exhaust air systems
are the length, adapted cross-­
section and aerodynamic design
of the exhaust air duct.

1 Reference value for the required captured air flow rate = 350 m³/h for gas cooker: 2 hobs in operation
with 2 × 2 kW power, height H above hob 80 cm, freely suspended, complete capturing of the thermal flow,
no cross-­flow

8 General planning information General planning information 9

 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

Instructions for
circulating air mode Special features
of cooktop extractors

• In case of a cooktop extractor, the vapour is

extracted downwards by the system and fed into
Would you like to view the the base area of the base unit.

topic of exhaust/circulating
• To prevent moisture damage, it is recommended
Additional hygienic air that the circulating air is led out of the base
exchange required
air from a completely
area in a closed air duct system. The circulating
air outlets (grilles) must not be obstructed or
No moisture loads are taken away in the circulating
different perspective?
blocked.
air mode. According to [DIN 1946-­6], an exhaust
• The recirculation of air into the base area without
air volume flow of 40 m³/h is recommended to prevent
ducting to the outside of the piece of furniture
moisture damage. Depending on the size of the
is expressly not recommended here to potential
kitchen, this corresponds to an air exchange of approx.
moisture and mould damage.
0.5 to 2 h-­1. This can be ensured by a centralised or
decentralised ventilation system. If such a system
is not available, the basic change has to take place
via manual opening of the windows.

Maintenance /degree of odour

reduction
Then follow the Steinmeiers To ensure that the recirculation filters function properly,
through the world of Follow-up time they have to be regenerated or replaced at regular
intervals in accordance with the manufacturer's recom-

cooking—from the Stone Age A follow-­up time of 5–10 minutes for drying the hood
system (especially the activated carbon filter) is generally
mendations. Users should be informed of the need and
follow-­up costs.

until today! Our video recommended.

Used circulating air filters have lower degrees of

is a lot of fun and gets to odour reduction. The investigations indicate considera-
ble differences in the activated carbon filter systems

the point of kitchen [BewDunst].

Energy efficiency
ventilation. In contrast to exhaust air systems, circulating air
systems do not require an energy efficiency class. Initial
Pressure losses/
investigations indicate that the quality of the activated noise emission
carbon filter has a major influence on the energy effi-
ciency of circulating air systems. Circulating air filters represent a high flow resistance
and therefore lead to an increased pressure loss.
The video guide:
Comparative investigations showed a reduction of the
www.compair-flow.com/correct-and-safe-plan-
ning-of-extractor-systems effective volume flow at the hob of up to 25 %
[BewDunst] (P. 20).
Instructions for circulating air mode 11
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

Instructions for exhaust

air operation

Channel length / Common operation with Common operation

Additional flow pressure drops ventilation systems with fireplaces

Sufficient additional air flow has to be ensured, other- The flow cross-­section and the length of the duct have an The integration of the extractor system into the domestic In principle—especially in modern, high-­density build-
wise an inadmissible negative pressure may occur in the influence on the pressure losses and thus on the effective ventilation system cannot be recommended for the ings—the use of room-­air-­independent fireplaces is
kitchen. The additional air flow can be reached by: air volume flow. In the case of high pressure drops, the following reasons: recommended, which have a separate combustion
indicated volume flows are not achieved. The following air supply and are therefore less sensitive to negative
• Opened window (manually opened or via window points have to be observed: • Fire protection: possible transmission of fire and pressures in the room (maximum 8 Pa negative
contact coupled to the extractor system) smoke, applicable fire protection regulations have pressure permissible).
• Shoring of a 150 mm cross-­section to be observed.
(Ø 150 mm or equivalent rectangular cross-­section) The joint operation of an exhaust air extractor system
• Hygiene: Fat deposits in air ducts
and a fireplace (in particular depending on the room
• Channel length as short as possible with few
• Controllable outdoor air apertures • Design: Domestic ventilation systems are usually air) is relevant to safety, as an impermissibly high neg-
changes of direction
designed for air volume flows in the order of ative pressure in the installation room of the fireplace
• Wall-­box frame/outdoor air apertures with a large 100 to 200 m³/h, for extractor systems air volume can cause flue gases to escape into the room.
free flow cross section flows of up to 650 m³/h are permissible and
• Intake air wall-box frame common. DIN 1946-­6 Bbl. 3 and Bbl. 4 requires a maximum
• Aerodynamically optimised canal systems should
permissible negative pressure of 4 Pa and the installa-
be used especially for high-­performance systems. • If the exhaust air extractor system without additional
tion of suitable safety devices for the joint operation
air flow is operated simultaneously with the
of ventilation systems or exhaust air extractor systems
supply/exhaust air system without additional air
• Exhaust-air-supply-air-wall-box with room air-­dependent fireplaces:
flow, heat recovery deteriorates.

• Ensuring an exclusively reciprocal operation

• Common operation with differential pressure

monitoring or position monitoring of the supply
To avoid odour transmission, additional air flow
Wall-­box frames/ air opening
should not be allowed from adjacent rooms (e. g. air
from bath/WC). external air diffusers

Wall-­box frames/outdoor air apertures should auto-

matically close tight when the extractor system is not in
active operation and should not lead to any leakage
volume flow. Additional insulation also offers an advan-
tage.

12 Instructions for exhaust air operation Instructions for exhaust air operation 13
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

Is a room air-­dependent
3 Recommendations fireplace available or planned

depending on (chimney, gas boiler)?

the building standard Tendency: If a room air-­dependent fireplace is

Yes
and building equipment present, it has to be ensured that no negative
pressure is generated in the installation room of
the fireplace which would allow toxic flue
gases to escape. Since a circulating air extractor No
system does not cause any pressure changes
in the building, it can be easily installed in the
building. In the case of an exhaust air extractor
system, additional technical measures have to
be taken to ensure that the negative pressure is
limited to 4 Pa. These include e. g.:
Hint: In buildings with a very low heating re-
• Differential pressure switch for common operation
quirement, a comfort fireplace of any type is not
• Automatic supply air opening (position monitor)
energy-­efficient unless it is the main heat supply
What kind of building during common operation
• Alternate operation (safe operation by switching system. Therefore, this point can be neglected
is concerned? off or optional mode where the system cannot in this type of building.
be activated if the room air-­dependent fireplace
is in operation).

New construction in accordance

with current energy-­saving
legislation (EnEV, GEG)
Is there a ventilation unit?

New construction as an energy-­ Tendency: In principle, both exhaust air and

efficient or passive house circulating air extractor systems are permitted
for all building standards. There are no legal Yes, a supply air system
restrictions on the use of a particular type of
Tendency: The additional supply air flow for
Outstanding amounts extractor depending on the building standard.
the exhaust fume extraction system has to be

For buildings with a very low heating require-

Yes, an exhaust air system or a independent of the presence of a ventilation

ment (e. g. passive house and efficiency house

ventilation system in the bathroom system. For reasons of fire protection and
hygiene, the kitchen exhaust air extracted via
40) it is nevertheless recommended to opt for
the exhaust air extractor system should not
circulating air extractor systems, as the energetic
be integrated into an existing exhaust air duct.
influence of exhaust air extractor systems is Yes, a supply/exhaust air system
With systems generating a negative pressure
relevant, especially for small residential units.
(exhaust air system or ventilation system in the
The next section shows under which boundary
bathroom or exhaust air extractor system),
conditions exhaust air extractor systems are No the safety-­relevant aspect in combination with
possible.
a room air-­dependent fireplace has to be abso-
lutely observed.

14 Recommendations depending on the building standard and building equipment Recommendations depending on the building standard and building equipment 15
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

How much do the annual What is the size of the opening Herd or flock: Is the
ventilation heat losses increase for the additional flow in building listed as a historical
due to the use of exhaust exhaust air systems so that no monument or are there local
air extractor systems? critical negative pressures can building regulations?
occur in the room?
Tendency: In the case of listed buildings (pres-
ervation order for external façade) or local
building regulations that expressly prohibit the
Yes
alteration of façades (approval required), a
circulating air fume extraction system can be
installed without further steps. The installation
No of an exhaust air extractor system has to be
approved by the relevant authorities. Discreet
For domestic ventilation, a distinction is made Extractor systems in the exhaust air mode re- exhaust air blinds, some in the colours of
between operation with and without heat quire an additional air flow, as otherwise neg- the buildings, are available on the market.
recovery (heat recovery efficiency 80 % or 0 %). ative pressure is created in the kitchen, which
In ventilation systems with heat recovery, the is not permitted in conjunction with a room
relative increase in annual ventilation heat losses ­air-­dependent fireplace and can lead to critical
due to the operation of the exhaust air fume situations even without fireplaces, e. g. through
Herd or flock: Have moisture
!
extraction system is much greater. In absolute doors in the air system that can no longer
terms, the annual ventilation heat losses in- be opened. In general, safety requirements are or mould damages already
crease by 156 kWh/a to 657 kWh/a due to understood to mean the possible opening of occurred in the building?
the operation of an exhaust fume extraction an escape door as a measure against the pres-
system regardless of the size of the apartment sure difference. Critical door opening forces
and the presence of heat recovery. This is occur in case of a pressure difference higher
equivalent to additional heating costs of approx. than 75 Pa. It should therefore be ensured that Ja
Tendency: In order to reduce the moisture con-
11 €–46 € per year. In the circulating air this value is not exceeded in everyday life. The
tent in the room air through cooking processes,
mode, moisture and non-­neutralised odours have following minimum cross-­sections are required
an exhaust air extractor system is recommend-
to be removed via permanent basic ventilation for the additional flow in airtight buildings
ed, as this transports the sucked-­in moist air to Nein
or window ventilation. (n50 < 0.6 h-­1) in order not to exceed a safety-­
the outside. Recirculating air systems, on the
relevant negative pressure of 75 Pa1* [BewDunst]:
other hand, remove odours through the recircu-
With circulating air extractor systems, on
lating air filter, depending on the device, partly
the other hand, additional costs for regular filter
to predominantly, but the moisture remains in
changes have to be taken into account. The
Size of Exhaust Required diameter
the room.
total costs of both variants are therefore of a the usage unit air volume flow of free opening area 2

comparable order of magnitude.

250 m³/h 130 mm

20 m² 500 m³/h 180 mm

If energy-­efficient and tight-­closing heat reten- 650 m³/h 210 mm
tion systems are used instead of the conven- 250 m³/h 100 mm
Conclusion: In the current version of the Energy Saving Ordinance and the Renewable Energies Heat
tional backwater flaps when using an exhaust 100 m² 500 m³/h 160 mm Act there are no references to a ban on extractor systems, particularly in new buildings with high
fume extraction system, heat costs are signifi- 650 m³/h 190 mm thermal insulation. Similarly, the electricity requirements of the extractor systems are not currently taken
250 m³/h 100 mm
cantly reduced. into account in the energy balance for the issue of an energy certificate.
200 m² 500 m³/h 160 mm

650 m³/h 190 mm

1 Safety-­relevant limit value for opening doors. 2 Depending on the design of the after-­flow
Which type of cooker hood is more suitable depends essentially on both the structural boundary
In the case of joint operation with fireplaces, damper and additional pressure losses through
stricter requirements apply with regard to the the damper blade and cover, the required conditions and the user behaviour itself.
maximum negative pressure (cf. joint operation cross-­section may also be significantly higher.
with fireplaces).

16 Recommendations depending on the building standard and building equipment Recommendations depending on the building standard and building equipment 17
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

4 Special features Recommendations for buildings with

very low heating requirements
for energy-­efficient
e. g. passive house and efficiency house 40
buildings

In buildings with a very low heating Circulating air extractor systems Exhaust air extractor systems
requirement, such as passive houses are to be preferred from an energet- are possible. The following points
and efficiency houses, the use of ic point of view, taking into account have to be observed:
an exhaust fume extraction system can ventilation heat losses and fan power
increase the heating requirement of consumption.
the utilisation unit.
• Solutions for the additional flow are to be provided.
The exhaust air opening or air vent opening has
to be provided with tightly closing closures. Simple
For example, the following criteria non-­return valves are not sufficient.
apply to passive houses:
• Impairments with regard to comfort cannot be ruled
out. The aim should be to find solutions that allow
the fresh air flowing in to the hob to be introduced
in the immediate vicinity of the hob.

Annual heating Air tightness of the • Extractor systems should be used which limit the
running time and reset the max. flow rate after a
requirement building envelope time interval (automatic).

< 15 kWh/(m²a) n50 < 0,6 h-1 • Preference should be given to systems with moder-
ate exhaust air volume flows to ensure a sufficient
capturing. As investigations of capturing of vapours
have shown [BewDunst], there are considerable
differences between the individual products. The air
flows required for capturing a defined quantity
of vapour differed by up to 60 % in the investigated
systems.

The increase in the heating requirement is not only the exhaust air dampers and the air intake dampers, • In small apartments, the additional ventilation
due to the ventilation heat losses during operation in particular, can show significant infiltration losses. heat loss significantly increases the heating demand
of the extractor hood system: if they are not airtight, Airtight sealing products are available on the market. and also the heating load. Extractor systems
should therefore not be used in such types of build-
ings if the average size of the flat is less than 90 m².

18 Special features for energy-­efficient buildings Special features for energy-­efficient buildings 19
 Guide to extractor systems for kitchens

FURTHER INFORMATIONS Project duration

June 12, 2017– December 12, 2018

Product information as well as maintenance and Reference number:

care instructions from the manufacturers: 10.08.18.7-17.27

Project management/
Federal Association of the Chimney Sweep grant recipient:
Passivhaus Institut
Trade Central Guild Association (ZIV)
Rheinstr. 44/46
www.schornsteinfeger.de 64283 Darmstadt
[email protected].
Tel. +49 (0)6151 826 990
Building regulations of the federal states in Germany
www.bauordnungen.de/html/deutschland.html Authors:
Dipl.-Ing. Kristin Bräunlich (Passivhaus Institut),
Dipl.-Ing. Martina Broege (IHD GmbH),
AMK Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dr.-Ing. Alfred Bruns (Naber GmbH),
Die Moderne Küche e. V. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Hartmann (ITG GmbH),
www.amk.de Dipl.-Phys. Oliver Kah (Passivhaus Institut),
Dipl.-Ing. Christine Knaus (ITG GmbH), Sven
Knothe (IHD GmbH), Dipl.-Ing. Matthias
Weinert (IHD GmbH), Dipl.-Ing. Julia Sophie
Weiser (Passivhaus Institut), Enrico Zönnchen
(IHD GmbH)

The research report was prepared with

funds from the Federal Institute for Research
on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial
BIBLIOGRAPHY

[VDI 2052] Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (Association

Development. (Reference number:
SWD-10.08.18-7-17.27) The world of
innovative kitchen ventilation:
The responsibility for the content of the
of German Engineers): VDI 2052, Ventilation systems report lies with the authors.
for kitchens. Beuth Verlag Berlin, April 2006

[AMK] AMK-Merkblatt—Küchenmöbel—Koch- compair-flow.com

umfeld und Raumbelüftung (AMK leaflet—Kitchen
furniture—Cooking environment and room
ventilation) (AMK- MB-008).
February 2014, Mannheim: Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Die Moderne Küche e. V.

[DIN 1946-6] Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.

(German Institute for Standardisation):
DIN 1946-6: Room air technology—Part 6:
Ventilation of apartments—General requirements,
requirements for dimensioning, execution
and marking, deliver y/acceptance (inspection)
and maintenance. 2009, Beuth Verlag, Berlin

[BewDunst] Final report of the "Study on the technical,

energetic and economic evaluation of exhaust and
circulating air extractor hoods in kitchens in energy-­
efficient buildings", December 2018

20 Further Informations / Bibliography

Naber GmbH
Development ∙ Production ∙ Distribution

Enschedestraße 24
48529 Nordhorn
Germany

Phone + 49 5921 704 - 0

Fax + 49 5921 704 -140

[email protected]
www.naber.com

09/2019 E

Naber – the original

All the major manufacturers of extractor

systems worldwide rely on Naber ventilation
systems and components. With Naber,
kitchen professionals find solutions for
almost every planning and installation task.
The in-house development department
regularly devises technically and creatively
ground-breaking products that make
kitchens the world over a little better, more
comfortable and more efficient.

9951020h