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Ensure the safety and proper operation of your hood vent. We’ll show you how to keep your vent hood clean and ready to go!

<p>Your stovetop likely sees a lot of use. From daily dinners to the occasional Sunday brunch, it&rsquo;s fair to say your stovetop may need a good cleaning now and again. This is especially true with your stovetop&rsquo;s vent hood. Not sure where to begin? Don&rsquo;t worry! We have you covered with all the details regarding why you should clean your vent hood as well as how to do it.</p>
<h2>Why You Should Clean Your Stovetop Vent Hood</h2>
<p>The purpose of your stovetop vent hood is to remove smoke and cooking fumes from your kitchen. When your vent hood is in use, this appliance feature draws the smoke and fumes out of the house. This is vital for safety reasons as well as to keep the air fresh and clean within your home. However, a stovetop vent hood only works well if it&rsquo;s cleaned on a periodic basis. A clogged and dirty vent hood won&rsquo;t do the job it&rsquo;s supposed to do and may do more harm than good.</p>
<p><img alt="dirty and clean vent grate next to each other" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_clean-hood-vents_1.jpg" title="App_clean-hood-vents_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<h2>How Often You Should Clean Your Vent Hood</h2>
<p>So, how often should you clean your vent hood? Well, the answer depends on a few factors. First, the type of vent hood will determine how often this item should be cleaned. For example, if you have a microwave vent combo, this type of appliance feature should be cleaned every month. On the other hand, if you have a hood vent, you should clean this part every one to three months, depending on how often you use your stove. This brings us to the next factor to consider with regard to how often you should clean your vent hood. Stovetops that get used more often should be cleaned more regularly. Also, if you notice your vent hood looks dirty and is not working as efficiently as it should, it&rsquo;s time to give it a good cleaning.</p>
<h2>Steps to Clean the Vent Hood</h2>
<p>When the time comes to clean your stove&rsquo;s vent hood, you can follow a few easy steps to do so. However, the steps may vary depending on the type of vent hood you&rsquo;re cleaning, so it&rsquo;s always best to check the manufacturer&rsquo;s recommendations.</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s how to clean your vent hood, depending on type:</p>
<h3>Microwave Vent Combos</h3>
<p><img alt="image of microwave hood vent over stove" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_clean-hood-vents_2.jpg" title="App_clean-hood-vents_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>If you have a microwave vent combo, where the vent is on the underneath side of the microwave and above your stove, here are the steps to follow:</p>
<ul>
<li>Step 1: Unplug the microwave or shut off the circuit breaker that provides power to the unit.</li>
<li>Step 2: Remove the vent. It may need to be unscrewed first.</li>
<li>Step 3: Soak the vent in hot water and dish soap.</li>
<li>Step 4: Soak the vent for a few minutes then scrub to remove any dirt, grime, or stains.</li>
<li>Step 5: Allow the vent to dry completely before returning it to its spot.</li>
</ul>
<p>Repeat these steps every month or on an as-needed basis.</p>
<h3>Hood Vents</h3>
<p><img alt="someone reaching up to turn on a sleek black hood vent" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_clean-hood-vents_3.jpg" title="App_clean-hood-vents_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>If you want to clean your stovetop hood vent, follow these steps for an easy cleaning method:</p>
<ul>
<li>Step 1: Unplug the stovetop hood vent unit or shut off the circuit breaker that connects it prior to cleaning.</li>
<li>Step 2: Wipe down the outside of the hood vent with a warm water and dish soap combination.</li>
<li>Step 3: Remove the filter and let it soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes.</li>
<li>Step 4: Rinse the filter using a sink sprayer, if you have one, or just use your faucet.</li>
<li>Step 5: Shake excess water off the filter and allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it.</li>
</ul>
<p>Repeat this process every month if you use your stovetop on a frequent basis or every three months if your stovetop doesn&rsquo;t see much use. You can wipe down the exterior of the vent hood on an as-needed basis.</p>
<h3>Downdraft Ventilation</h3>
<p><img alt="someone reaching to turn on sleek black downdraft ventilation unit" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_clean-hood-vents_4.jpg" title="App_clean-hood-vents_4.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Downdraft ventilation systems for stovetop cooking have a removable grease filter that may need some cleaning attention now and again. Here&rsquo;s how to keep your downdraft ventilation system in good working order:</p>
<ul>
<li>Step 1: Turn off your downdraft ventilation system controls and unplug the unit or turn off the corresponding circuit breaker before starting to clean.</li>
<li>Step 2: Remove the grease filter and soak it in warm soapy water.</li>
<li>Step 3: Rinse off the filter and allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it in the unit.</li>
<li>Step 4: Clean the ventilation chamber with a damp sponge dipped in warm soapy water.</li>
<li>Step 5: Allow all parts to dry completely before reinstalling and using the system.</li>
</ul>
<p>You should clean your downdraft ventilation system every month.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s important to make sure your vent hood is clean and ready to use. However, even with all the heavy duty cleaning in the world, it may not be enough if it&rsquo;s time to buy a new hood vent. If you&rsquo;re ready to upgrade to a new model, shop our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.centraldistributing.com/catalog/ventilation/" target="_blank">online catalog</a></span> at Central Distributing or <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.centraldistributing.com/contacts/" target="_blank">stop by</a></span> today to explore the options!</p>

How to Clean Your Stovetop's Vent Hood

Energy Star appliances are the best at saving energy, but are they saving you money? Learn exactly how much you'll save on your energy bill today!

<p>You've probably heard a lot about Energy Star appliances and how they're certified to save energy, money, and the environment. But are they worth the investment?</p>
<p>Energy Star appliances usually cost more than non-certified ones, so are the energy savings you get worth the initial cost? It depends. And we'll go through what you can expect from Energy Star appliances and the savings you'll receive!</p>
<h2>What are Energy Star Appliances?</h2>
<p><img alt="Array of appliances with grades next to them" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_1.jpg" title="App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_1.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Energy Star is a voluntary program created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy in 1992. The program aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient products and practices.</p>
<p>To be certified as Energy Star, a product must meet specific energy-efficiency criteria that the EPA sets. These standards are designed to save energy, money, and the environment. Using less energy means the appliances cost less to operate, which saves on your energy bill and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<h2>Energy Star Qualifications</h2>
<p>As we said before, an appliance must meet certain energy-efficiency criteria the EPA sets to reach Energy Star status. These qualifications are the guiding principles and include a variety of aspects. The appliance must:</p>
<ul>
<li>Be in a category that contributes significant energy savings.</li>
<li>Have features and performance preferred by consumers while also providing energy efficiency.</li>
<li>Provide savings in energy costs within a reasonable period of time, especially when the certified product costs more than less-efficient machines.</li>
<li>Utilize energy-efficient technology other manufacturers can achieve, not just through proprietary solutions.</li>
<li>Confirmed energy savings after thorough testing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> Refrigerators must be at least 15 percent more efficient than the minimum federal efficiency standard.</p>
<h2>Appliance Breakdown: How Much Can You Expect to Save?</h2>
<p><img alt="Eco mode on laundry machine" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_2.jpg" title="App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_2.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>Of course, even with the shiny blue and white label declaring an appliance is Energy Star, the savings you can expect vary by machine.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Washers:</strong> The average family washes at least 300 loads of laundry each year, significantly reducing your energy bill. Energy Star-certified clothes washers use 50 percent less water and 33 percent less energy than non-certified washers.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dryers:</strong> Use a ton of energy to dry clothes, but with an Energy Star-certified clothes dryer, you can use 20% less energy than non-certified dryers!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Refrigerators:</strong> these are always on, so it's no surprise that a refrigerator makes up 13 percent of a home's total energy use. Energy Star-certified refrigerators use a minimum of 15 percent less energy than non-certified refrigerators.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dishwashers:</strong> Energy Star-certified dishwashers use 10 percent less energy and up to 20 percent less water, which over the lifetime of the dishwasher, can save up to 1,900 gallons of water! And they clean more efficiently than older, non-certified models as well.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Energy Star Saves Money</h2>
<p>With all that savings on energy, what does that mean for your monthly energy bill savings? Since you'll be using less energy each time to use an Energy Star-certified machine, your monthly utility bill savings will increase. In fact, you can expect to save between 20 to 50 percent on your monthly energy bills, which also slowly helps you gain on your investment for these pricier machines.</p>
<p>Not only can you save your energy bill, but you can even get a tax credit! Some cities, states, and parts of the federal government have incentive programs to encourage people to buy energy-efficient products. So, you can even save a bit on your taxes!</p>
<h2>Understanding the Energy Label</h2>
<p><img alt="Energy label rating" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Q4_2022/App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_3.jpg" title="App_Energy-Star-Appliances-Save-Money_3.jpg" width="700" /></p>
<p>All Energy Star appliances have an energy label showing how much energy the appliance uses. It's usually a bright yellow label with a ton of information on it. But what does it mean?</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Unit Specifications:</strong> in the top right corner, you'll find the model number, dimensions, and manufacturer, which tells you the product the label is for.</li>
<li><strong>Energy Efficient Rating:</strong> usually located in the middle, this tells how much the appliance costs for a year, based on an average household's usage. However, the number depends on the type of equipment.</li>
<li><strong>Linear Scale:</strong> located under the energy efficient rating, the scale depicts how that specific model rates compared to other models.</li>
<li><strong>Kilowatt-Hour Energy Consumption:</strong> explain how many kilowatt-hours the unit consumes annually. You can then use this to approximate your energy costs by multiplying this number by your suppliers' energy rate.</li>
<li><strong>Energy Star Log:</strong> certifies that the equipment is built with distinct features that elevate energy efficiency by up to 15 percent over a basic model.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Ready to Save</h2>
<p>So, what's the takeaway? Energy Star appliances are an investment, but one that does pay off in the end. The energy savings over time will save you more than you think on your monthly energy bill throughout the life of the appliance. And the best part is the more Energy Star appliances you have, the more savings you'll earn!</p>
<p>At Central Distributing, we have a variety of Energy Star-rated <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.centraldistributing.com/catalog/appliances/" target="_blank">appliances</a></span> ready to help you start saving! But if you have any questions, please <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.centraldistributing.com/contacts/" target="_blank">give us a call or stop by</a></span>! We'll help you find exactly what you need!</p>

Energy Star Appliances: Do They Really Save You Money?

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How to Clean Your Stovetop's Vent Hood

Energy Star Appliances: Do They Really Save You Money?

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