Dear Jim: Our old kitchen range vent hood is noisy, hard to clean and now it only runs on one speed. Even its styling looks like a Model T.

What are the newest things in quiet range hoods and what really is best? --Tim M.

Dear Tim: Range hoods are an area of the kitchen where there have been many design improvements -- both in functionality and styling. Recent emphasis has been in providing quiet operation with additional convenience features. You can talk on the telephone right next to a running new range hood.

Several new designs are totally hidden when not in use. Some pop up seven inches from behind the range when you turn it on. Others slide out from under the cabinets above the range. Still others, that match your cabinets, tilt out and the blower and light come on automatically.

One new design, Allure, is designed to be very quiet. On low speed, it creates only about one sone (unit of sound level). This is about the noise level of a quiet new refrigerator. It is the easiest model to clean because of the unique air flow pattern and the teflon-like coating.

Fire safety, especially around children, is also a factor when selecting a range hood. Look for a model with a sensor, Heat Sentry, that switches the blower to high when excess heat is detected. For the ultimate safety, select a range hood with a Guardian II built-in fire extinguisher.

Check the fan design. A standard fan with a blade is the least expensive, but it will be noisier. Better models use squirrel cage blowers for high air flow with minimal sound. These are also more efficient to operate.

This blower design tends to spin the vaporized oil and grease in the exhaust air. This centrifugal action condenses the oils so that less enters and builds up in the duct. The filters and grease traps are designed to be easily removed and washed in your dishwasher.

One of the nicest convenience features is a built-in hidden spice rack in the front of the range hood (Stor & Spice). Fold-down warming racks with radiant infrared warming lights hidden above are a plus for large meals.

Touchpad electronic controls are convenient and easy to keep clean. Some provide variable speed control, but just three speeds are adequate. An auto-off feature slowly reduces the blower speed and shuts it off after five minutes so you can walk away.

Don't just buy the most powerful one. It will cost more and be noisier. As a rule of thumb, the range hood should provide about 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air flow for each linear foot of the range. A range with a surface grill needs about two to three times this much.

Write for or download at www.dulley.com Update Bulletin No.

429 -- buyer's guide of newest range vent hoods and features. Please include $3 and a business-size SASE.

James Dulley, Deseret News, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244

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Dear Jim: We are planning to add a fairly large skylight to our living room and we are debating whether to get a venting or a fixed model. The venting designs cost more. What do you recommend? -- Sheila H.

Dear Sheila: The best choice for you depends on how you keep your home comfortable in the summer. If you use natural ventilation much of the time, get a model that opens. Its location is perfect for venting out hot air.

If you air-condition the majority of the time, get a lower-cost fixed design. Without the opening mechanism, there are no moving parts to wear out. Although the venting models seal well, a fixed is more leak resistant.

"You can take an online open house tour of James Dulley's own house and see all the money-savings improvements and products that he tests in his own home. There are nearly 100 pictures with links to the various columns that describe the improvements and products. Go to www.dulley.com/house/ on the Internet to visit his home."

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