Can’t Decide Which Is Better – Duct vs Ductless Chimney? Check Out Their Pros and Cons

Nowadays, homes or flats in urban areas are becoming compact, confined, and constricted in space. As a result, more and more people are opting to install chimneys in their homes so that they can cook comfortably in the kitchen.

Thanks to this, chimneys have become quite ubiquitous in homes. And so has the question about which is better—ductless vs duct chimney?

If you’re also feeling confused and can’t decide between duct vs ductless chimneys, don’t worry. We’re here to help you out. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of both and their major differences!

What Is a Duct Chimney? Pros and Cons

A duct chimney is connected to a pipe/duct that sucks in the dirt, smoke, hot air, etc., present in your kitchen and expels it outside your home. The duct chimney in the image above performs these functions and goes with the kitchen decor, including the kitchen sink design. 

Pros

• Durable
• Can handle heavy-duty cooking even if it produces fumes and lots of smoke
• Requires low maintenance
• The suction motor makes very little noise

Cons

• Installation is difficult
• Requires a duct before it can be installed
• Expensive 
• Consumes a lot of space

What Is a Ductless Chimney? Pros and Cons

A ductless chimney is not connected to any pipe. It has an exhaust fan, a suction motor, and a filter at its hood. The suction motor sucks in smoke and dirty air, the filter captures dust and oily particles, and the exhaust fan recirculates clean air in your kitchen. 

The silver ductless chimney in the image above does an impressive job of carrying out its functions and matches splendidly with the white PVC kitchen cabinets. 

Pros

• Easy to install
• Much more affordable than duct chimneys
• Does not require a duct

Cons

• Requires high maintenance
• Does not cool down hot air
• The suction motor makes a lot of noise

Difference between Duct and Ductless Chimneys

When it comes to ductless chimneys vs duct chimneys, they vary in several aspects, such as:

Power Consumption

Comparing duct vs ductless chimneys, duct chimneys consume less power than ductless ones. The latter consumes more energy as it constantly keeps pulling in air from your surroundings to filter it and then releases clean air into the kitchen.

Size

Considering the size differences between duct vs ductless chimneys, duct chimneys are bulkier than their ductless counterparts as they operate with the help of a duct system. Ductless chimneys are relatively slimmer and perfect for installation in small standard kitchen sizes.

Reduction of Heat and Moisture

When it comes to reducing heat and moisture, among duct vs ductless chimneys, duct chimneys are the clear winner.

Duct chimneys focus on accumulating and expelling the hot, humid, dirty air in your kitchen to facilitate proper ventilation. This is not the case with ductless chimneys, which only cleanse out the dirty air.

The Final Verdict

After considering all the pros and cons of duct vs ductless chimneys, it’s clear that duct chimneys outperform ductless chimneys by many factors. 

Having said that, at the end of the day, the aspects that determine the better option between duct vs ductless chimneys for you are the amount of space in your kitchen, the amount of time you spend in your kitchen, and the amount of money you can afford to spend on a chimney.

Even after considering the above aspects, if you still feel you need help, just reach out to the experienced interior designers at HomeLane. We’ll help you choose the better option between duct vs ductless chimneys for your kitchen.

FAQs

1. Which Chimney Is Better: Ductless or with Duct?

When you have to choose between a chimney with duct vs ductless, duct chimneys come out on the winning side. A duct chimney not only cleans the air and cools it down but also uses less electrical energy and produces lesser noise than a ductless chimney. 

2. What Is the Difference between a Ducted and Ductless Chimney?

The main difference between a duct vs ductless chimney includes:

• A duct chimney has a duct, while a ductless chimney doesn’t. 
• A ductless chimney only cleans the air – but a ducted chimney also cools the air. 
• The installation of a ducted chimney is costlier than that of a ductless chimney. 

3. Is a Ductless Chimney Good for Indian Kitchens?

A ductless chimney is a great choice for Indian kitchens, especially smaller ones. It makes them look elegant and hygienic. If you plan to install a ductless chimney in your kitchen, ensure the design aligns with your small kitchen shelving ideas.

4. Can a Filterless Chimney Be Ductless?

Yes, a filterless chimney can be ductless since it matches the requirement of a ductless chimney—it operates without a duct. Moreover, just like ductless chimneys, it uses a suction motor to suck in grime, dust, and oily particles from your kitchen and collects them in a cup for disposal.