Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

There are very few published data on the performance of over-the-range (OTR) microwave range hoods for installed airflow and capture efficiency (CE) compared to traditional range hoods. In this study, we conducted performance assessments of six OTRs that were observed to be present in numerous California new homes, including three certified by the Home Ventilation Institute (HVI). Performance testing was also conducted on two standard range hoods with similar airflows. Their performance, in terms of exhaust airflows and capture efficiency, was tested under laboratory conditions designed to represent a realistic kitchen with relatively low flow resistance ducting. The CEs of OTRs tested herein were consistent with those tested in previous studies, ranging from 40% to 85% for the front burners and 60% to 100% for the back burners. The increase in CE with airflow of OTRs does not reveal obvious difference compared to standard range hoods.