Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for safely and efficiently controlling a ventilation hood having at least one blower unit disposed within a hood. The blower unit operates at a first speed which is substantially below a threshold speed when a speed controller is in a first setting and a sensor does not detect a trigger condition. The blower unit also operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a first setting and the sensor detects the trigger condition. In addition, the blower unit operates at or above the threshold speed when the speed controller is in a second setting, and deactivates when the speed controller is in a third setting.