Ventilation

When shopping for a kitchen range hood or a bathroom exhaust fan, two technical terms often come up: sones and CFM. While they may sound complex at first, these numbers are essential to choosing an appliance that is efficient, quiet, and well-suited to your space.

At Pont-Masson, we believe that making the right choice starts with understanding the basics. Here’s a simple guide to help you shop with confidence.

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What Does CFM Mean?

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) measures the amount of air an appliance can move in one minute. The higher the number, the more powerful the unit.

Why CFM Matters

• It determines how effectively air is exhausted

• It affects the removal of:

  • moisture

  • odors

  • smoke

  • grease

Recommended CFM by Application

For a Kitchen Range Hood

• 300 to 400 CFM: light cooking (electric cooktop, occasional use)

• 450 to 600 CFM: regular cooking, gas cooktops

• 600 CFM and up: heavy cooking, large kitchens, or island installations

Tip: The more powerful your cooktop, the higher the CFM your range hood should have.

For a Bathroom Fan

• 50 to 80 CFM: small bathroom or powder room

• 80 to 110 CFM: standard-sized bathroom

• 110 CFM and up: large bathrooms or rooms with glass showers or high ceilings

Simple rule: plan for about 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom space.

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What Are Sones?

Sones measure the noise level of a fan or hood. The lower the sone rating, the quieter the appliance.

Understanding Sone Levels

• 0.5 to 1 sone: very quiet (barely noticeable)

• 1 to 2 sones: quiet and comfortable

• 3 sones and above: clearly audible

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Finding the Right Balance Between Power and Noise

A powerful appliance that is too loud often ends up being underused. The goal is to find the right balance between CFM and sones.

General Recommendations

Kitchen Range Hoods

• Aim for under 3 sones at normal operating speed

• Multi-speed models offer greater flexibility

• A hood that is wider than the cooktop captures smoke more efficiently, reducing the need for excessive power

Bathroom Fans

• 1.5 sones or less for optimal comfort

• Ideal for daily or nighttime use

• Quieter fans are more likely to be left running long enough to properly remove moisture

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Other Factors to Consider

• Proper ducting: poor duct installation reduces performance and increases noise

• Installation type: wall-mounted, under-cabinet, ceiling-mounted, or island

• Additional features:

  • timer

  • humidity sensor

  • LED lighting

  • washable filters

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In Summary

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Need Help Choosing?

The Pont-Masson team is here to help you select the right product based on:

• room size

• usage habits

• budget

• comfort preferences

Visit us in store or browse www.pontmasson.com to discover a wide selection of kitchen range hoods and bathroom fans for every project.

Make the right choice today for cleaner, healthier air tomorrow.

When we think of air pollution, we often picture car exhaust and outdoor smog. But the air inside our homes can be just as polluted—sometimes even more—especially in well-insulated spaces where air tends to stagnate. Dust, allergens, mold, chemical products, and excess humidity all contribute to poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, there are many simple actions you can take to make your home healthier.

1. Ventilate regularly to refresh the air

Ventilation is one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality.

• Open windows even for a few minutes each day, including in winter.

• Use exhaust systems: kitchen range hood, bathroom fan, dryer vented outdoors.

• When doing renovations or using strong products (paint, varnish, solvents), ventilate thoroughly to remove chemical vapors.

Proper airflow helps reduce humidity, odors and airborne pollutants.

2. Keep your home clean to reduce allergens

Regular cleaning helps eliminate dust, mites, spores and irritants.

• Vacuum and dust frequently.

• Limit clutter and materials that trap dust.

• Choose cleaning products with fewer chemicals to avoid releasing volatile compounds.

A clean home greatly contributes to cleaner air.

3. Use proper filtration to capture particles

Filters play a major role in removing airborne contaminants.

• Install good-quality filters in your heating or cooling system.

• Whenever possible, choose HEPA filters, especially for allergy sufferers.

• Clean or replace filters as recommended; dirty filters lose efficiency and may recirculate pollutants.

Good filtration significantly improves indoor air quality.

4. Control humidity to prevent mold

High humidity encourages mold growth, which can affect respiratory health.

• Maintain humidity between 30% and 50%.

• Use a dehumidifier in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms.

• Repair leaks or water infiltration promptly.

Managing humidity helps prevent mold-related health risks.

5. Reduce sources of chemical pollutants

Many everyday activities release chemicals into the air.

• Choose low-emission materials and paints during renovation projects.

• Ventilate well when using adhesives, solvents, or strong cleaners.

• Avoid synthetic air fresheners and aerosols that introduce unnecessary pollutants.

Fewer chemicals mean a healthier living environment.

Conclusion

Improving indoor air quality comes down to simple habits: proper ventilation, regular cleaning, effective filtration, humidity control and limiting chemical exposure. These manageable actions enhance both comfort and health for everyone in your home.