Home-owners are less knowledgeable about current ventilation products than they are about other kitchen appliances, according to a new survey conducted among kitchen designers.

The nationwide survey, conducted by luxury appliance manufacturer Thermador in conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association, polled 573 kitchen designers in an effort to gain insights into the building industry’s awareness of the latest appliance design trends, according to Thermador. The survey, whose results were released last month, revealed that nearly 90% of the kitchen designers surveyed reported that their clients either “always” or “usually” rely on their professional recommendations when it comes to addressing ventilation needs. In addition, 86% of the designers questioned said their clients are “less knowledgeable” about ventilation compared to other kitchen appliances. The survey found that 47% of the kitchen designers polled rate performance and odor removal as the most important factor to consider when selecting ventilation, while only 13% perceive that their clients feel the same way. More than half (52%) of the surveyed designers feel their clients rate design as their top purchasing decision. The majority (46%) of the surveyed designers said they are using wall hoods most often in their kitchen projects, followed by custom inserts (28%), chimney hoods (18%), downdrafts (4%) and island hoods (3%). Client requests are consistent with those usage patterns, designers noted.