Range Hood: Vital Kitchen Ventilation System
A range hood is a vital kitchen ventilation system that draws air from the cooktop and vents it to the outside. It is a must-have for every kitchen and helps keep the air clean.
Before installing your hood, determine what kind of venting you need. Most range hoods have a paper template or instructions to help you find the correct location.
Maintenance
Range hoods help keep your kitchen air clean as they filter out grease and odors. They also help draw heat away from the stove, so your cooking area stays cooler.
If you’re a new homeowner, you may have questions about maintenance for your hood. Here’s what you need to know:
First, it’s essential to install your hood in a way that ensures your ductwork will work properly. For advice and range hood installation Washington DC assistance, contact a professional if you need help deciding where to begin.
Second, be sure to regularly wash your metal hood filter. This helps prevent a build-up of grease that could cause your hood to break down.
Replace your filters regularly, especially if you cook a lot or consume meat. Check your hood’s manual for instructions.
Installation
Every kitchen in a house must have a range hood. It removes smoke, odor and steam from the air and helps keep your family safe from lingering toxins that can be inhaled during cooking.
An adequate range hood installation Washington DC can improve your kitchen’s air quality and help you enjoy cooking more. But there are some essential things you need to know before you can install your new hood.
Step 1: Mark the location of the vent hole on your wall and cabinet. Use a manufacturer’s template or your measurements to ensure the cutout is in the right spot.
If you’re installing ductwork, start at the exterior and work your way toward the hood. Remove siding and insulation from around the duct area as you go. Next, attach the duct’s wall cap to the hole you created. This will allow you to run the vent from the outside to the hood without using elbows or bends.
Electrical
Range hoods come in 2 configurations: “ducted” (with an outside duct to take the hot air out of the kitchen) or “ductless” (“ventless”). Ducted range hoods use metal filters to de-grease and purify the air.
They also contain charcoal filters to absorb odors. When a ducted installation isn’t possible, such as in high-rise condos or cooperative buildings, the range hood can be installed “ductless” instead.
Both configurations’ ducting should be rigid, 6-inch round and insulated. This will help keep the ducting from cracking or breaking and reduce noise.
Rigid ducting is typically slightly more expensive than flexible ducting, but it’s better for performance and noise reduction.
Before installing the ductwork, mark your wall cavity where the duct exits the hood. This will be your starting point for the rest of the installation.
Ventilation
The ventilation system used for a range hood is crucial to its effectiveness. It’s a complex system comprising a hood canopy, blower, and ducting. If any of the three parts are fixed, it will work more effectively.
A hood should be able to clear at least twice the square footage of your kitchen, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The optimum CFM depends on your house layout and type of cooking equipment.
If your new range hood came with a template, use it to mark where the vent hole should go on your wall. If it doesn’t, use a tape measure to find the correct spot.
