Extractor hood lifespan: how long does it last?
Extractor hood: 10 to 15 years on average, so around 12 years in normal household use. Regular maintenance routinely pushes past the top of that range.
An extractor hood lasts 10 to 15 years on average. Its motor is simple and robust: it is almost always the filters, not the mechanics, that cause trouble.
A grease-clogged filter drastically reduces extraction, strains the motor and, above all, represents a genuine fire risk over the hob.
Signs it is reaching the end
- Extraction becomes noticeably weaker
- The motor becomes noisy or vibrates
- Smells linger despite the hood running
- The light stops working
- Filters stay saturated with grease despite cleaning
The maintenance that extends its life
Degrease the metal filters (dishwasher or very hot water)
How often: every 1 to 2 months
Replace the charcoal filter (recirculating hoods)
How often: every 6 to 12 months
Clean the inner housing and the fan blades
How often: every 6 months
Check the ducting (extraction hoods)
How often: once a year
Repair or replace?
A hood motor is reasonably cheap to replace and worth doing up to around 12 years. Most of the time, though, weak extraction isn't a fault at all but saturated filters: degreasing them restores the original performance.
Having an out-of-warranty extractor hood repaired by a QualiRépar-certified repairer in France entitles you to 25€ taken straight off the invoice. No paperwork, nothing to pay up front: the repairer deducts it from the total.
How to claim the repair bonus →Common faults
Frequently asked questions
How often should extractor hood filters be cleaned?
Every 1 to 2 months for the metal grease filters, depending on how much you cook. The charcoal filter on recirculating hoods is replaced instead, every 6 to 12 months - it cannot be washed.
My hood doesn't extract any more, should I replace it?
Rarely. In the vast majority of cases the filters are saturated with grease. Degrease them in very hot water or the dishwasher, and replace the charcoal filter if there is one. If extraction is still weak, check the ducting.