Q: Dear Jim: My kitchen has an old noisy range vent hood that also looks old fashioned. I want a new one with several speeds to reduce noise and energy usage and one that is easy to clean. What are my options, and which of the styles are most effective? -Jan E.

A: Dear Jan: The newest range hoods are quieter, more effective and convenient to use than your old one. Although almost any new range hood will be quieter than your old one, there are significant noise-level and convenience differences among the new models. A quality range hood has a much more sophisticated engineering design than just a simple fan and cover as it appears.

With today's more energy efficient, airtight homes, it is more important than ever to exhaust cooking fumes, grease, odors, etc. for good indoor air quality. These can quickly buildup in a kitchen without adequate ventilation. For the best energy efficiency, you want a range hood that exhausts the stale air without sucking out too much already-conditioned room air or using too much electricity.

Many newer range hoods are stylish and can be attractive additions to a kitchen. They are decorative with contemporary contours, metal or painted finishes, glass covers, lights, etc. Some of the clear glass ones offer unique and efficient cooking area lighting options from above. Believe it or not, some fancy, custom-sized ones may cost as much as $15,000, but you can still find decorative, effective and efficient ones in the $100 to $200 price range.

On the other end of the style spectrum are ones designed to be hidden from view when not in use and obscured when in use. Some of them pop up several inches from behind the range when you switch them on. Others are designed to match the cabinets above the range. They hinge at the top and you pull them out from the bottom when needed. When pushed back and not in use, they look identical to other cabinet doors.

The key to efficient, effective and quiet operation of a range hood is exhausting just the right amount of air. A maximum air flow of 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per lineal foot of the range top is usually adequate for most cooking tasks. If you often cook particularly odorous foods, such as fish, onion, etc., or boil a lot of water and need to remove the moisture, select a range hood with a slightly higher maximum air flow.

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With most of the new quiet range hoods, you can easily talk on the telephone near one running. You can compare the noise level of various models by their ratings in "sones" (lower is quieter). Since most of the noise from range hoods is caused by the air flow, not the blower/fan motor, models with lower air flow ratings also have lower sones ratings.

Choose a model with several fan speeds for more flexibility and control of the noise level and indoor air quality. When you are just warming some food or doing other light cooking, the maximum exhaust air flow is not required. On low speed, the fan noise level is about one-tenth as when on high speed.

A three-speed fan is usually adequate, but many of the more expensive models offer variable speeds for more control over air flow and noise. Some models include an extra super-high boost speed setting in case you burn something or need to I remove some strong food aromas. If you are concerned about fire safety, select a model that has a built-in fire extinguisher system.

There are also important differences in the fan design. Squirrel cage types of blowers are usually quieter and more powerful than simple, lower-cost fan blades. They also operate more efficiently using less electricity for a given amount of air flow.

The centrifugal action of the blower tends to sling airborne grease droplets into the filter so less builds up in the hood and duct. This reduces odors and the risk of a grease fire inside the hood if there is a flare up on the range. You can remove the filter periodically and wash it in the dishwasher. Some range hood models also have a Teflon coating on the interior for very easy cleaning.

Some features to consider are digital touchpad controls. An auto-off feature allows you to leave the kitchen and the blower will gradually slow and stop after five minutes. Built-in efficient night lights are great around children who tend to leave lights on. Warming trays are also convenient.

Write for (instantly download - www.dulley.com) Utility Bills Update No. 914 - buyer's guide of six quiet/efficient range vent hood manufacturers (18 models) listing styles, sizes, sone noise levels, cfm air flows, features, and cooking efficiency tips. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, Illinois Country Living, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244.

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.