A range hood is one of the most important kitchen appliances. The main function of a range hood is to purify air during the cooking process. That’s why choosing a range hood is a very responsible task. It’s crucial to pick the right range hood for a kitchen.
Once the choice is made, it’s necessary to install a range hood. The process of installing a range hood requires meticulous planning. Make sure that you have everything you need for installing a range hood. You must be prepared for the installation before making a purchase.
There are many important things to take into account in order to get the range hood installed correctly. Today, we’ll tell you how to prepare a range hood for installation.
So, let’s get started.
Preparing Ductwork for Range Hood Installation
The process of installing a range hood begins with preparing ductwork. Initially, you need to have the ductwork installed. Hire a HVAC professional to get this type of work done.
When preparing ductwork connections, you need to know what type of a range hood you are going to purchase. The way you are venting means a lot. Either a wall cup or a roof cap will be required to get ductwork connections ready for range hood installation. It all depends on whether you are venting to the wall or to the roof.
It’s also important to note that there are round and rectangular ductwork connections. That means that you need to ensure that ductwork and range hood of your choice have similar opening.
A damper would be a good addition to a range hood. A damper is necessary if you’re venting to the exterior of your home. A damper opens and closes when such a need arises and controls outside air. A damper turns on and allows outside air to get in when a range hood is working.
A damper closes and doesn’t allow outside air to get in when a range hood is not working.
Horizontal or Vertical Venting?
There are range hoods for horizontal and vertical venting. That’s why you need to know what type of venting you are planning to have in your home. After that, you have to pick the right range hood for your venting. Make sure that a range hood of your choice is compatible with venting. So, you have to check range hood’s specifications carefully to ensure that it’s suitable for the type of venting in your kitchen.
Venting or Re-circulating?
When planning range hood installation, you have to decide if you are going to vent out or re-circulate air. It would be better to take into consideration this fact in advance.
Let’s say that you are going to vent out. In this case, it’s necessary to connect a range hood and its blower to ductwork. As a result, air will be vented out outside your home.
Let’s say that your range hood comes with a recirculation system. If so, make sure that you have enough space for a range hood, its blower and a recirculation kit. As a result, air will be filtered and purified air will be released back to your kitchen.
Electrical Requirements for Range Hood Installation
A range hood comes with a blower and lighting. These parts need to be connected to electricity. That’s why it’s so important to prepare an electric connection before you start installing a range hood.
It’s necessary to drill holes next to each side of the vent and put electrical wiring. Electrical wiring will connect a range hood to an electrical box. Hire an electrician to get electrical works done during the process of installing a range hood.
Proper Positioning of a Range Hood
A range hood has to be positioned properly. Positioning of a range hood depends a lot on the type of its blower. There are different types of blowers. These include: internal blower, external blower as well as inline blower.
Nowadays, the vast majority of range hoods come with an internal blower. An internal blower is positioned inside a range hood. An external blower is positioned outside a house. An inline blower is positioned either inside an attic or crawl space.
The distance between your range hood and the cooking surface is another important factor to consider. It’s worth noting that a range hood doesn’t have to be either too high or very close to the cooking surface.
If a range hood is positioned too high, then it will not manage to capture grease and odors during the cooking process successfully. As a result, your kitchen will get smokier. On the other hand, a range hood can damage the cooking surface if it’s positioned lower.
The distance depends a lot on the power of a range hood. The distance between a range hood and the cooking surfaces ranges from 20 inches and 24 inches and from 32 inches to 36 inches for gas and electric cooking surfaces respectively.
Are You Ready to Get Started with Installing a Range Hood?
In fact, the installation process begins with selecting a range hood. It’s incredibly important to pick the right type of a range hood for your kitchen. A range hood of your choice has to match ventilation and ductwork. If you don’t know how to select a range hood, consult with a professional.
Once you purchase a range hood, it’s time to get started with the installation process. You can begin to configure your ductwork and prepare your kitchen for a range hood even if it hasn’t arrived yet. Make sure that you have everything that you need for the process of installing a range hood.
It’s important to know that installing a range hood is a serious task. The installation process requires certain knowledge, experience as well as tools and equipment. So, you’ll hardly be able to install a range hood by yourself if you have never done this type of work before. Hire a highly trained professional to get a range hood installed in your kitchen.
How to Prepare for Your Range Hood Installation
How to Install a Range Hood
