Residential Kitchen Hood Ventilation Ducting
✅ What HDB Says About Ventilated Kitchen Hoods
There’s a common misconception that HDB flats do not allow ducted kitchen hoods.
💌 Our Dialogue with HDB
In 2019, our founder Keith Wee wrote to the Housing & Development Board (HDB), sharing research and test data on the health impact of cooking fumes and proposing a filtered-duct air delivery system — a safer way to improve air quality in enclosed kitchens.
Our goal was simple:
“Deliver cleaner, filtered air — responsibly and within the flat.”
HDB responded thoughtfully.
While they did not issue blanket approval for vented systems, they acknowledged the health rationale and clarified that ducted installations may be allowed if:
-
The ducting is fully within the flat, and
-
The exhaust air does not cause nuisance to neighbouring units.
-
If neighbours complain, HDB may require removal.
(References: HDB Bukit Merah Branch, 7 Jun 2019; Jurong West Branch, 29 Nov 2019.)
⚖️ Understanding the Balance
We fully understand HDB’s position.
Authorities must protect both public health and community comfort — ensuring that no installation causes odour, grease, or noise to affect neighbours.
Their stance is rational, and it reflects the same principle we uphold at SGbetterhome:
“There is no perfect solution — but there is always a better, more responsible one.”
🔬 Our Commitment
We continue to refine our systems with one clear mission:
-
Promote responsible vent-out designs that comply with HDB rules
-
Educate homeowners on healthy, sustainable ventilation habits
-
Encourage moderation and awareness in everyday use
For light domestic cooking — such as quick stir-fry meals or steaming — a well-filtered, responsibly vented system can provide excellent results.
However, for prolonged and heavy cooking (e.g. BBQ, semi-commercial operations), we do not advocate venting out, as even filtered air may still carry odour and particles that can disturb neighbouring homes.
Ventilation must be used with good sense and community consideration — not as an excuse to pollute outwardly.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔥 Misconception #1: Grease in the Duct will Accumulate and Catch Fire?
Short answer: No—not in residential ducting.
Many people worry that grease buildup in kitchen ducts might lead to a fire. This concern often stems from comparisons to commercial kitchens, like those in coffee shops or hawker stalls.
🏠 Residential vs Commercial Cooking
-
Commercial kitchens operate for long hours with high-volume frying, generating intense heat and airborne grease.
-
Residential cooking is far lighter in volume and intensity. The airflow and grease accumulation in home ducting are minimal by comparison.
🔥 Misconception #2: Grease Ignites Easily
-
Grease has a high flash point—it needs extremely high temperatures to catch fire.
-
In a duct, grease is spread thin and cooled by airflow. It’s not exposed to direct flame or heat, making ignition virtually impossible.
🚨 What Actually Causes Kitchen Fires?
-
Fires typically start on the stove, especially when oil overheats.
-
The real danger comes when someone panics and throws water on burning oil—this causes a violent flare-up.
-
Unless flames reach the duct directly, grease inside it won’t ignite.
✅ Bottom Line for Homeowners
-
Residential ducting is safe when installed and maintained properly.
-
Focus on safe cooking practices, not duct fire fears.
-
Our systems are designed with local conditions in mind, ensuring peace of mind for Singapore homes.
The Problem With Recirculating Hoods
Recycling air isn’t cleaning air
Recirculating hoods don’t remove heat or moisture and rely on charcoal filters that need regular replacement.—they just push it back into your kitchen. Over time, this can lead to poor indoor air quality, triggering respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis, eye irritation.
Even light cooking with LPG releases combustion gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and unburnt hydrocarbons and even Lung Cancer.
In this video, I explain what vented (ducted) and recirculating (ductless) cooker hoods are as well as their pros and cons. Plus, I answer some popular questions I get asked about this cooker hood/extractor topic.
The Smarter, Healthier Choice
Why Ducted Venting Makes Sense
Our vented systems capture-->filter-->expel fumes safely outdoors.With lightweight PVC ducts, venting is now possible in almost every home.
✅ Removes smoke & odour ✅ Keeps kitchen cooler
✅ Protects lungs
✅ Extends hood & cabinet life ✅ Rust-free & HDB-friendly
What the Science Says
Cooking fumes can contain PM2.5, formaldehyde, and benzene — pollutants also found in traffic exhaust.Without proper exhaust, a small kitchen can hit unsafe air levels within minutes.
Get Informed. Make Smarter Decisions
Watch & Learn
In Berkeley Lab's test kitchen scientist Brett Singer and his team are measuring the pollutants emitted by cooking foods and evaluating how effective various range hoods are in capturing the pollutants.
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that’s 2.5 micrometers or smaller—about 30 times thinner than a human hair. Because of their tiny size, these particles can bypass your body’s natural defenses and penetrate deep into the lungs, even entering the bloodstream.Once inside, PM2.5 can:
🫁 Trigger respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis
❤️ Increase the risk of heart disease and stroke
🧠 Affect brain development in children and cognitive function in adults
🧬 Contribute to long-term conditions like cancer and premature aging These particles often come from vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and even indoor sources like cooking or burning candles.
There's been a lot of talk about a gas stove ban, thanks to a new report that found 13% of asthma cases in kids are caused by gas stoves specifically. Is it all controversy or are there genuine dangers and health impacts you should be worried about?
Real Venting, Real Filters, Real Results
The Misconception