{"id":6135,"date":"2022-08-28T11:12:28","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T15:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rangehoodhomeland.com\/?p=6135"},"modified":"2023-04-24T21:35:11","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T01:35:11","slug":"what-is-makeup-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangehoodhomeland.com\/culture-and-community\/what-is-makeup-air\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Make-up Air? And When Is Make-Up Air Required? (Answered)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019re looking for a new range hood<\/a>, you\u2019ve also heard of the term \u201cmake-up air.\u201d But what exactly is make-up air, and when is make-up air required?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, you will learn what a make-up unit kit is, why it\u2019s important, and how to determine if having one is required for your kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A make-up air unit \u201cmakes up\u201d the air exhausted from your home via your range hood<\/a>. A make-up air unit is required if your range hood exceeds 400 CFM.<\/strong> But even if it\u2019s not over 400 CFM, a make-up air unit is highly recommended because negative air pressure will hinder your range hood\u2019s performance without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make-up air, as its name indicates, \u201cmakes up\u201d the air exhausted by your range hood<\/strong>. When you operate your range hood, it removes filthy air from the kitchen<\/a>. Clean air must be reintroduced to the area once the dirty air has been removed. So it essentially brings fresh air in from the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A makeup air kit, also known as a makeup air unit or makeup air system, consists of a range hood damper and an air pressure sensor that regulates outside airflow into your home. It connects to your ductwork<\/a>, and a pressure switch signals the damper<\/a> to open, allowing fresh air into your home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A make-up air kit will improve your home’s ventilation and indoor air quality<\/a>. If you’re doing a lot of high-heat cooking, it can also be used to cool down a room<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Without a make-up air unit for your kitchen, your exhaust hood won\u2019t accomplish its job as effectively.<\/strong> That\u2019s because the absence of supply air creates a rise in static pressure that decreases the cubic feet per minute (CFM)<\/a> of air the equipment can remove from your kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus your hood won’t work properly. When your exhaust hood doesn\u2019t operate correctly, you\u2019ll notice more grease piling up on your kitchen surfaces<\/a>, and you\u2019ll have to spend more time cleaning. And respiratory difficulties might arise as a result of prolonged exposure to smoke and toxins. And when your kitchen lacks replacement air, your heating and cooling conditions will be uneven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make-up air units may be required<\/strong> in the following situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may notice difficulties with negative air pressure<\/a> if you operate your range hood in a compact area or if you don\u2019t have a well-performing range hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negative air pressure means the pressure within your house is lower than the outside air. This pressure differential might allow outside air to leak into your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your range hood or exhaust fan must have positive air pressure to function effectively. If your pressure is negative, the range hood will have a tough time extracting air and performing at its best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have negative air pressure if you see inward-facing doors opening rapidly or if your doors are difficult to open<\/strong>. Whistling or crackling noises may also be heard. Keep an eye out for growing energy expenditures, a strained HAV system and drafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your kitchen range hood will not perform at its best if you have poor ventilation. Make-up air units are recommended for households that need additional ventilation. Using a range hood or exhaust fan, you should constantly circulate clean air back into your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have a make-up unit and have a ventilation problem, air<\/strong> will be drawn from other sources, such as your HVAC system<\/a>, water heater, or chimney<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The building industry in the United States has long recognized the need for enough make-up air for exhaust systems. Since 2009, the International Residential Code (IRC) has mandated the provision of make-up air for kitchen hood exhaust systems with a capacity of 400 CFM<\/a> or larger. However, you should still check your local codes if this information is outdated or has changed since it was published.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is make-up air?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a make-up air kit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why is make-up air important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When is make-up air required?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Small Kitchens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Poor ventilation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Building code regulations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Long-term use of a range hood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n