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Novy has been making range hoods since 1965. They have embraced this product group ever since and to this day they are one of the true range hood specialists in the Netherlands. Novy sales manager Fred van Liere knows the market like the back of his hand. In recent years, he has seen the trend shift to induction hobs with integrated extraction.
With Novy Easy and Panorama, among others, he knows this trend like no other. "We also sell these induction hobs a lot, however, we notice that there are times when the consumer actually deserved a different advice." They are also flying over the counter like hot cakes at Novy. The induction hobs with integrated extraction. Fred van Liere knows the trend and, he says, is fine with it. "It's not about good or bad and I don't see it as a battle between induction hobs with integrated extraction and the real extractor hoods. It's just different and that's why we as an industry could do a little more for our end users. Like being more critical in what we ask customers and what we then recommend to them. Some customers are not necessarily looking for what is the prettiest or the current trend, but what is best in their situation."
There are actually a number of questions that need to be answered. Fred: "Some then end up with one of those induction cooktops with exhaust, but others may just benefit more from a ceiling unit, for example." Fred is happy to give us some examples. "If someone has a small house, it is good to discuss the fact that an induction cooktop with extractor fan takes up quite a bit of storage space. Does the user feel he has enough space left? In addition, it is good to discuss the use of cooking, and explain that even a boiling water tap with its steam, moving a steaming pan or cooking in a steam oven will cause odors and vapor to enter the room. An extractor in the induction cooktop cannot always overcome this very well. So if someone then uses the steam oven a lot instead of induction cooktop, the advice may be not to go for cooktop extractor fan."
These kinds of questions are important for good advice, Fred believes. "Source extraction can work fine, sometimes one benefits more from total room extraction, such as a ceiling unit. Invisible in the room, but more focused on overall air purification, and possibly convenient in terms of lighting."
A ceiling unit that answers this kind of question is the Novy Pureline Pro. At 90 or 120 centimeters wide, it monitors air quality. With its Slimline LED strip, it fulfills all lighting needs. It is, of course, adjustable in intensity and color warmth.
Brighter during cooking, but more atmosphere afterwards if desired. Fred: "Extractor hoods are equipped with all conveniences these days. Such as indeed adjustable lighting, but also automatic speed control thanks to the optional Novy Sense sensor. This sensor detects cooking fumes and odor. It adapts the operation and speed of the extraction to what is requested to keep the air quality as clean as possible. A remote control is no longer necessarily necessary. Control via the cooktop or the Novy app are possible. This allows the user to control the ceiling unit, but also to see if the filter is already due for replacement."
Our conversation with Fred reveals that there is quite a bit to be desired when it comes to range hoods. For kitchen consultants, it may be an opportunity to differentiate themselves from the competition by asking their customers some additional questions.
