Kitchen range hoods are one of the most confusing requirements in the energy code — and one of the most common items to fail at final. A HERS/ECC Rater doesn’t measure the hood. We verify that the exact model is listed in the HVI or AHAM directory with ratings that meet your home’s requirements (§150.0(o)2, RA3.7.4.3). If the listing doesn’t support it, the hood fails — no matter what the box or the spec sheet says.
What the hood has to have
An HVI or AHAM listing for the exact model number.
Enough airflow — the listed CFM at working or high speed has to meet Table 150.0-G for your home’s floor area and cooktop fuel.
A sound rating of 3.0 sones or less at a speed of at least 100 CFM (§150.0(o)1Gvi). Hoods whose lowest setting is above 400 CFM are exempt from the sound requirement.
It must vent to the outdoors. Recirculating, ductless and filterless hoods don’t qualify.
How much airflow you need (Table 150.0-G)
Based on the dwelling unit’s conditioned floor area. For an ADU, use the ADU’s floor area — not the main house.
Over 1,500 sq ft: 110 CFM electric/induction · 180 CFM gas
Over 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft: 110 CFM electric/induction · 250 CFM gas
750 to 1,000 sq ft: 130 CFM electric/induction · 280 CFM gas
Under 750 sq ft: 160 CFM electric/induction · 280 CFM gas
Smaller homes need more airflow, not less — there’s less air volume to dilute cooking pollutants.
Why range hoods fail
Not listed. The manufacturer’s spec sheet CFM is not a listing. If the exact model isn’t in the HVI or AHAM directory, it can’t be verified.
Reading the wrong rating. The HVI directory lists working-speed and high-speed ratings separately. Airflow comes from working or high speed; the 3.0-sone limit applies at a speed of at least 100 CFM. Many hoods are only sound-rated at high speed, and those don’t show compliance with the sound requirement.
Small ADU with a gas cooktop. A 700 sq ft ADU with gas needs a hood listed at 280 CFM or more — and 3.0 sones or less at 100 CFM or more. That combination is hard to find in a 30″ hood. Check before you buy.
Recirculating hood. Common in remodels and ADUs where venting is inconvenient. It doesn’t qualify.
Counting on capture efficiency. The code allows compliance by capture efficiency (CE) instead of airflow, but CE ratings aren’t yet published in an approved directory — so for now, CE can’t be used to comply.
Installers: duct it to deliver the listed airflow
The installed hood has to actually deliver the required airflow. The installer can skip measuring it when the duct meets Table 150.0-H: total duct length of 25 feet or less, no more than three elbows, and a full-size exterior termination. Flex duct must be fully extended, and isn’t permitted above 400 CFM.
Before you buy: send us the model
Send us the make and model before you order. We check the HVI or AHAM listing against your floor area and cooktop fuel so you don’t install a hood that can’t pass. At inspection, we photograph the model number, confirm the listing, and record the rated CFM and sones on the CF2R/CF3R.
You can check a listing yourself in the HVI Certified Products Directory or the AHAM range hood certification directory.
The full requirements, other kitchen exhaust options and the code language: Kitchen Range Hoods. Questions about a specific hood? Contact us.