A range hood is more than a mechanism to remove cooking odors; it’s an important component in a kitchen’s decor. A sleek, well-designed model makes a bold statement: that the resident chef is no slouch. But beyond putting on culinary airs, a range hood is something akin to a life-support system for your kitchen.

In days gone by, ventilating the kitchen meant opening a window. Today, however, houses are being built increasingly airtight, central air is ubiquitous, and windows remain closed most of the year, making mechanical ventilation a necessity. An effective range hood will exhaust excess heat, humidity, cooking odors and fumes from household chemicals. The best models will also trap grease to help keep the kitchen clean. All these features make the range hood an integral part of a home’s indoor air-quality system, improving safety and hygiene.

Modern range hoods offer a wide variety of options in terms of style, function and capacity. Here’s what you need to know when selecting the right model for your kitchen.

Click here to download the kitchen breather pdf, complete with photos and how-to instructions on properly ventilating your kitchen.