A typical kitchen exhaust fan draws 30–200 watts; real-world use often lands around 0.03–0.2 kWh per hour of run time.
You came here to pin down numbers, not guesses. The watt draw of a kitchen exhaust fan (range hood or wall fan) depends on airflow, motor design, and speed. Most homes see 30–200 watts while cooking, with low speeds nearer 30–80 watts and high speeds pushing 100–200 watts on standard models. Energy use per hour is just watts divided by 1,000. If you want the bottom-line bill impact, multiply kWh by your electricity rate.
Kitchen Exhaust Fan Electricity Use — Real-World Numbers
Let’s translate nameplate watts into energy and cost. The basic math:
- kWh per hour = fan watts ÷ 1,000
- Cost per hour = kWh per hour × electricity rate
- Annual kWh = kWh per hour × hours per day × 365
Many modern range hoods hit efficiency benchmarks measured as CFM per watt. ENERGY STAR sets a minimum efficacy of 2.8 CFM/W for range hoods at or under 75 watts, which nudges designs toward better airflow for the power used. When airflow rises or duct resistance climbs, watt draw rises too.
Typical Watts By Speed And Size
The table below shows common ranges you’ll see across under-cabinet, wall-mount, and insert hoods. Your exact model may differ; use your manual or product label for precise values.
| Hood Size & Type | Low / Med / High (Watts) | Hourly Energy (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 24–30″ Under-Cabinet (Ducted) | 30 / 60 / 110 | 0.03 / 0.06 / 0.11 |
| 30″ Wall-Mount (Ducted) | 40 / 85 / 140 | 0.04 / 0.085 / 0.14 |
| 36″ Wall-Mount (Ducted) | 55 / 110 / 180 | 0.055 / 0.11 / 0.18 |
| 30″ Insert/Liner (Ducted) | 45 / 95 / 160 | 0.045 / 0.095 / 0.16 |
| OTR Microwave Hood (Recirculating) | 25 / 45 / 90 | 0.025 / 0.045 / 0.09 |
| Downdraft Vent (Ducted) | 70 / 120 / 200 | 0.07 / 0.12 / 0.20 |
| Inline/Remote Blower Systems | 50 / 100 / 160 | 0.05 / 0.10 / 0.16 |
What Drives Watt Draw: CFM, Ducting, And Fan Design
Airflow is rated in CFM. The harder a hood must push air through filters and ductwork, the higher the watts needed. Two key levers decide the number on your meter:
CFM Per Watt And Certification
Efficiency in fans is often expressed as CFM/W. ENERGY STAR requires a minimum 2.8 CFM per watt for qualifying range hoods at ≤75 W and caps sound at 2.0 sones in that class. Models that meet or beat those thresholds tend to run quieter for the airflow you get and sip less power at moderate speeds. When a product is tested and listed by independent programs, you can compare apples to apples.
Filters, Duct Length, And Elbows
Grease baffles and mesh filters add resistance as they load up. Long ducts, small diameters, and multiple elbows compound the pressure the blower must overcome. That shows up as extra watts on the same speed setting. Keep filters clean and use a smooth, straight duct with the diameter your hood specifies.
Speed Settings And Boost Modes
Every jump in speed brings a step up in power draw. If you only need steam and odors cleared from a simmering pot, low or medium often does it. Use the top setting for searing and high-heat wok work, then drop back when the heavy plume clears.
How Much Electricity Does A Kitchen Exhaust Fan Use? By Scenario
Here are everyday patterns that map directly to energy and cost. Adjust the rate to your local tariff.
| Use Pattern | Energy & Cost Math | What It Looks Like Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Daily 30-Minute Simmer (60 W) | 0.06 kWh/h × 0.5 h = 0.03 kWh/day; cost = 0.03 × rate | 0.03 × 365 = 10.95 kWh/yr |
| Weeknight Dinners (95 W for 45 min) | 0.095 × 0.75 = 0.071 kWh/day | ≈ 26 kWh/yr |
| Frequent Stir-Fry (160 W for 1 h) | 0.16 × 1.0 = 0.16 kWh/day | ≈ 58 kWh/yr |
| Bake & Roast Weekends (110 W for 2 h, Sat/Sun) | 0.11 × 2 = 0.22 kWh/day × 2 days | ≈ 23 kWh/yr |
| Recirculating OTR (45 W for 30 min) | 0.045 × 0.5 = 0.023 kWh/day | ≈ 8.4 kWh/yr |
| Downdraft Heavy Cooking (200 W for 1 h) | 0.2 × 1.0 = 0.2 kWh/day | ≈ 73 kWh/yr |
| Mixed Use (blend of the above) | Average 0.09 kWh/day | ≈ 33 kWh/yr |
Fast Way To Estimate Your Hood’s Energy Cost
- Find the fan’s wattage on the label or spec sheet. If it lists multiple speeds, note the one you use the most.
- Convert to kWh: divide watts by 1,000.
- Multiply by run time per day.
- Multiply by your power rate to get cost per day; then scale to month or year.
Worked example: a 110-watt hood used 45 minutes per day uses 0.110 × 0.75 = 0.0825 kWh per day. At $0.18/kWh, that’s about $0.015 per day, or $5.40 per year. That small figure is why the hood sits near the bottom of your kitchen’s electricity list.
When A Low Watt Hood Still Moves Plenty Of Air
If a hood delivers 300 CFM at 2.8 CFM/W, the fan needs around 107 watts on that tested point (300 ÷ 2.8). A design that posts 3.5 CFM/W at the same airflow uses closer to 86 watts. That’s the payoff of an efficient blower, a well-sized duct, and clean filters. Pair that with lower sones and you get less noise for the same capture.
Practical Ways To Keep Energy Low Without Losing Capture
Use The Right Speed For The Job
Start high when you see a visible plume, then dial down once the smoke thins. For boiling or simmering, low is often enough. Matching speed to the load trims watts and noise.
Run A Short Post-Cook Timer
Let the hood clear residual steam and odors for 5–10 minutes, then switch off. Many models include delay-off controls. You get clean air without leaving the motor on longer than needed.
Clean Or Replace Filters On Schedule
Grease-clogged meshes or baffles starve airflow and force the motor to work harder on the same setting. A quick clean restores capture and lowers draw.
Fix Duct Bottlenecks
Use the duct size recommended in your manual. Keep runs short and straight. Each extra elbow adds resistance that taxes the blower and raises watts.
What Counts As “Efficient” For A Kitchen Hood
Two labels help you compare performance and energy:
- ENERGY STAR: For qualifying range hoods under 75 watts, look for efficacy of at least 2.8 CFM/W plus a 2.0-sone noise cap in that class. This points you toward models that move more air per watt at common speeds.
- Independent product listings: HVI and AHAM maintain directories where brands post certified airflow, sound, and, in many cases, efficacy data. That transparency lets you cross-check marketing claims.
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Standby And Lighting
Touch panels and auto-sensing features can sip power while idle. LEDs draw little, but halogen bulbs can add double-digit watts when lit. If your hood has separate switches, keep lights off when not needed.
Recirculating Setups
Charcoal filters add resistance. That can bump watts on the same speed compared with a ducted install. Recirculating hoods are fine for light odors but won’t remove moisture, so they may run longer for the same job.
Buying Tips That Keep Energy Use In Check
Match CFM To Your Cooktop And Cooking Style
Electric tops with light boiling need less airflow than high-heat gas burners and heavy searing. Choose the smallest CFM that still captures plumes at your typical heat levels. Oversizing to chase big numbers can raise watts and noise without improving capture in a small kitchen.
Check Efficacy And Sound Ratings
Look for models with published CFM/W and low sones at the speeds you’ll use most. A hood that hits your airflow target at a lower speed usually uses fewer watts in daily life.
Go Ducted Where You Can
Ducted hoods remove moisture and cooking byproducts, clearing air faster. Faster capture means shorter run time, which trims kWh even if peak watts are similar.
Quick Reference: What You’ll Pay To Run It
Use these ballpark figures to map your own costs. Swap your rate in and adjust hours to match your kitchen:
- 30–60 W on low: 0.03–0.06 kWh per hour
- 90–120 W on medium: 0.09–0.12 kWh per hour
- 140–200 W on high/boost: 0.14–0.20 kWh per hour
Multiply by your local price per kWh to get cost per hour. Even with daily use, the yearly total usually lands in the tens of kWh, not hundreds.
Trusted Specs You Can Use
When you want official numbers and fair comparisons, two places help. ENERGY STAR publishes the criteria for ventilating fans, including the minimum CFM/W and sound caps for qualifying hoods. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) hosts a searchable, certified product directory with airflow and sound data from standardized tests. Those two sources make it easy to verify claims before you buy.
Bottom Line
A kitchen exhaust fan is a small load on your bill. Most homes see 0.03–0.2 kWh for each hour of run time, shaped by speed, ducting, and filter condition. Pick a hood with solid efficacy, keep the duct simple, and use the lowest speed that still captures the plume. That combo delivers clean air with minimal watts.
References: See ENERGY STAR’s ventilating fan criteria and HVI’s certified directory for current specs and model data.
ENERGY STAR ventilating fan criteria |
HVI certified products directory