Elica Kitchen Chimney Price Guide: What You Need to Know: 1 Minute to Compare Elica Chimney Prices & Save on Your Kitchen Upgrade

I’ve specified and installed more kitchen chimneys than I can count, and Elica consistently shows up in client shortlists for its blend of performance and finish. Pricing, however, can feel confusing unless you break it down by suction capacity, filtration type, mounting style, and the realities of installation in your space.

Before getting into models and budgets, it helps to anchor performance to credible benchmarks. The WELL Building Standard (WELL v2) emphasizes source capture and ventilation effectiveness in cooking zones, highlighting that efficient extraction helps minimize particulate matter and odors at their source. Herman Miller’s workplace research, while focused on performance environments, shows a 23% productivity increase in well-ventilated spaces—useful context for kitchens where air quality directly impacts comfort and behavior. These references don’t price a chimney, but they underline why capacity and capture efficiency matter when you compare options.

From planning and installation, two figures influence both price and experience: airflow and noise. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends keeping task lighting glare and noise distractions in check; in kitchens, I aim for chimneys rated around 120–150 Pa static pressure with 900–1200 m³/h suction for Indian-style high-heat cooking, and 600–800 m³/h for lighter Western cooking. Steelcase research associates persistent noise above 55–60 dB with fatigue; many mid-tier Elica models sit near that range on boost, so choosing balanced modes for everyday use helps. These data points guide target specs that correlate with real costs.

Understanding Elica Price Bands

In my experience, Elica’s pricing typically falls into four bands that reflect capacity, filter technology, and finish.

Entry (Approx. Budget Range)

Compact wall-mount units with 600–800 m³/h suction, mesh or basic baffle filters, and mechanical controls. These are suited to small apartments and low-heat cooking routines. Expect competitive pricing with limited noise control and simpler aesthetics.

Mid-Tier

Wall or angular hoods around 900–1100 m³/h, better baffle filters, auto-clean variants, and capacitive touch panels. Value sweet spot for most families using moderate to high heat. Glass and stainless finishes become more robust; noise management improves modestly.

Premium

Higher suction (1100–1200+ m³/h), thermal auto-clean, sealed motors, and improved grease separation. Finish quality, LED lighting, and smarter control features become a differentiator. Installation often includes better ducting components to realize full performance.

Designer / Island

Island hoods, downdraft options, and sculptural wall pieces with enhanced lighting, refined sound profiles, and top-tier materials. Costs here reflect performance plus design statement value, including complex duct routes or recirculation kits for apartments where external venting isn’t possible.

Key Factors That Drive Cost

Several practical variables move the price needle, sometimes more than the sticker on the box.

1. Airflow capacity: Higher m³/h and stable static pressure ratings increase motor quality and cost.
2. Filter type: Baffle filters are durable for oily cooking; thermal auto-clean modules add convenience and price. Filterless (high-velocity) designs may carry a premium for low-maintenance appeal.
3. Noise profile: Better acoustic insulation and blade geometry cost more but reduce fatigue during longer cooking sessions.
4. Finish and lighting: Thicker glass, 304 stainless, and high-CRI LED task lights elevate both experience and price.
5. Controls and smart features: Gesture control, touch panels, and auto senses add to the bill but can be genuinely useful when hands are messy.
6. Ducting complexity: Long runs, multiple bends, and roof penetrations require higher-quality duct, backdraft dampers, and professional labor.
7. Mounting style: Island installations demand structural anchoring and often longer duct routes, increasing labor.

Performance Specs: What I Look For

For a typical 8–10 m² kitchen with frequent frying and tadka, I recommend 900–1200 m³/h and a baffle or auto-clean unit with at least 150 mm duct diameter to reduce pressure losses. Keep bends to two or fewer and use smooth-walled ducting to cut turbulence. Align the hood width with hob width; a 60 cm hob pairs best with a 60–75 cm hood, while 75–90 cm hobs deserve 90 cm hoods for proper capture. Maintain a 650–750 mm distance above the cooktop depending on manufacturer guidance to balance capture and headroom.

Layout and Planning Considerations

The chimney isn’t a standalone product—it’s part of a working triangle with hob and prep zones. I test clearances around wall cabinets and consider the user’s dominant hand and cooking rhythm. For clients unsure about placement, a quick visual simulation with a room layout tool helps evaluate reach and duct routing before committing to cuts and cores.

welcome to room layout tool

Filtration Choices and Maintenance

Baffle filters excel in greasy, high-heat cooking because their geometry traps oil droplets without clogging quickly; wash them every 2–4 weeks depending on use. Mesh filters are lighter but clog faster and raise fan load, making them better for light use. Auto-clean systems heat the collector to liquefy grease into a tray—great for convenience, but still plan quarterly cleaning. For apartments where external ducting isn’t feasible, recirculation kits with high-quality carbon filters help, though capture efficiency is lower than ducted setups; replace carbon filters roughly every 6 months with regular use.

Lighting, Color, and Comfort

Modern Elica hoods offer LED task lighting; I prefer 3000–3500K warm-neutral CCT to keep food coloration natural and reduce glare. Based on IES recommendations for kitchens, aim for 300–500 lux on the cooktop. I avoid overly reflective glass finishes opposite bright task lights to minimize veiling reflections. From a color psychology standpoint, warm light supports appetite and comfort, especially for evening cooking, while cooler light (4000K) can feel clinical in compact kitchens.

Noise and Acoustic Behavior

Most users run boost modes only when necessary. If your cooking is consistent and high-heat, prioritize a model with good acoustic damping and a smooth duct path; turbulence at bends often contributes more noise than the motor itself. Steelcase research ties elevated, persistent noise to fatigue and reduced focus; in a home setting, that translates into shorter, less pleasant cook sessions. Balance your requirement: a slightly larger capacity unit run at medium speed is typically quieter than a small unit pushed to max.

Installation and Aftercare

Budget for core cutting, duct, clamps, a backdraft damper, and sealing at wall penetrations. Sealant quality matters—air leaks reduce suction efficacy. Check local rules on facade penetrations if you’re in an apartment. After installation, verify capture by a simple napkin test at typical cooking height and confirm that the damper moves freely. Keep a quarterly checklist: filter clean, duct check, light function, control calibration.

Where Elica Makes Sense

Clients often choose Elica for a clean design language, decent suction at mid-tier budgets, and the availability of auto-clean options. If your cooking style is oil-heavy but you want low maintenance, the auto-clean baffle combo can be a smart compromise. If your kitchen is a design centerpiece, their island units deliver form plus function, with the caveat of higher installation complexity.

Authority References

For ventilation and comfort standards, see WELL v2 performance intent for air quality, and Steelcase’s research library on noise and wellbeing in work-like environments. These help contextualize airflow, capture, and acoustic choices in everyday kitchen use.

welcome to WELL v2

FAQ

How do I size an Elica chimney for my kitchen?

Match hood width to hob width (60–90 cm typical) and align suction to cooking intensity: 600–800 m³/h for light cooking, 900–1200 m³/h for frequent frying and tadka. Keep 150 mm duct diameter and limit bends to two for best performance.

Is auto-clean worth the extra cost?

Yes if you cook daily with oil. Auto-clean reduces manual degreasing and keeps static pressure stable longer, which preserves performance. You’ll still need periodic tray cleaning and occasional deep washes.

What’s the ideal mounting height above the cooktop?

Generally 650–750 mm, depending on the specific model and user height. Too high reduces capture efficiency; too low can be uncomfortable and increase heat exposure.

Can I use a recirculating Elica chimney without external ducting?

You can, with a carbon filter kit. Expect lower capture and odor control compared to ducted setups. Replace carbon filters roughly every 6 months under regular use.

How loud are typical Elica chimneys?

Mid-tier units often run in the mid-50s to low-60s dB at higher speeds. To reduce perceived noise, choose a higher-capacity model and use medium speed for everyday cooking, and ensure smooth duct routing.

Do I need professional installation?

For ducted models, yes—core cutting, correct duct diameter, airtight sealing, and safe electrical connections are best handled by pros. Poor installation negates the performance you pay for.

What filter type is best for Indian cooking?

Baffle filters or auto-clean baffle variants. They handle oil droplets better and maintain airflow longer than mesh in high-heat, greasy cooking scenarios.

How much should I budget beyond the unit price?

Plan for ducting materials, labor, and possible facade permissions. A reasonable allowance covers proper duct quality, backdraft damper, clamps, sealants, and clean electrical routing.

What lighting spec should I look for?

LEDs at 3000–3500K for natural food color, and enough output to achieve roughly 300–500 lux on the cooktop. Good glare control makes extended cook sessions more comfortable.

Will a designer or island hood perform as well as a wall hood?

Performance can be comparable if sized and ducted correctly, but island installations are more sensitive to cross-drafts and require careful positioning and possibly higher suction.