extractor fan on 4th floor kitchen....

Tr1pp

I am looking into redoing my kitchen but im unsure on how to proceed about having an extractor fan. It seems that a suitable extractor fan is required whether or not you have a big !!! window in the kitchen.

I live at the top of as small block of apartments/flats meaning the kitchen is on the 4th floor. There is an extractor hood over the hob but its not connected to an external extractor fan as there isnt one currently (making it mostly useless)

If I had to fit an extractor fan the fact that the kitchen is on the fourth floor might cause some expensive headaches.

is it a big deal not having an extractor fan? is there any legal issues etc? would this cause an issue when I come to selling?

Thanks

Myser

Tr1pp wrote: »

There is an extractor hood over the hob but its not connected to an external extractor fan

You don't normally connect an extractor hood to a fan - it has a fan built-in. It either vents outside or re-circulates the air if you don't have a vent.

Tr1pp

Yeah the extractor hood does have its own fan but is not connected to an outlet so its only recirculating the air.

Badger_Lady

I've never even owned an extractor hood. I had a ground floor flat and now a three-storey house - in both places I sort of ummed and ahhhed about getting one but really it doesn't make any difference with my high ceilings, big windows and vegetarian cooking

A recirculating hood is plenty - certainly wouldn't put me off buying a flat!

lesalanos

it doesn't have to go outside, the filters remove the rubbish and recirculate the air

Myser

Some extractor hoods have an option to allow you to convert them to a vented type. If you're on the top floor, surely it should be easier to install a vent to the outside?

Ruski

Myser wrote: »

Some extractor hoods have an option to allow you to convert them to a vented type. If you're on the top floor, surely it should be easier to install a vent to the outside?

Bleedin' long ladder needed to put the external vent on

Basil1234

cooker extractor hoods are normally ducted thru to an outside wall which can be done 3 ways ducting can run over the top of kitchen cupboards to the outside wall.
ducting can go straight thru the ceiling the across in the loft area to an outside wall
ducting goes straight thru ceiling and up and out thru roof.
as you haven't said whether there is a fifth floor or not i would say the first option is the one for you.

ending up with one of these on the outside wall to stop wind blowing back in which is most important.

Myser

Ruski wrote: »

Bleedin' long ladder needed to put the external vent on

Oops, didn't think about that! Can you reach the side of the wall from a balcony?! Might be handy if you can abseil too!

Tr1pp

Ruski wrote: »

Bleedin' long ladder needed to put the external vent on

exactly!

As i cannot access the outside of my kitchen without a long ladder / scaffold (cannot repel from roof) I want to know if I can have a kitchen installed without having an extractor to the outside of the building.

I assumed the extractor was mandatory (building regs ?) in order to extract the moisture caused by cooking? can i choose not to have an outlet and just get a hood with a filter system that recirculates the air?

Myser

Yes, it's perfectly fine to use a re-circulating extractor hood.