Kitchen Ventilation Installations, Diagrams & Tips

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Installation Considerations:

• Proper size — for efficiency, the hood needs to be at least as wide as the range or cooktop. Units will mount either on the wall or under the cabinet — some are adaptable to mount either way. When selecting range hoods, measure your cooking surface before going shopping. Always read the specified requirements for the proper mounting height.
• Exhaust — since the idea is to remove air, the best range hood is only as good as its exhaust system. There are three configurations:

• Vented or Ducted —Requiring ductwork to channel the exhaust outdoors.
• Non-vented or Duct-free —With washable and replaceable filter(s) to clean and return the air to the kitchen.
• Combination — can be used with or without ducts.

• Location - Where will the range hood be located? If you select a ducted unit, the exhaust must be vented to the outside, never directed to the attic or basement. If your range hood will be mounted on an exterior wall, the exhaust ducts will be shorter and therefore more efficient. If you plan to install the hood on an interior wall or island, keep in mind the longer distance and consider a more powerful unit.
• Ductwork - Proper installation of ductwork is critical to the efficiency of the range hood. While many individuals choose to hire a professional to install their ductwork, you can purchase materials and accessories to do it yourself. Always read the manufacturer's specifications carefully.
• Design - Range hoods are available in many styles, from hideaway models to brushed metal units. The type of range you have, gas or electric will require different types of hoods. Look for models that are easy to clean, some have parts that can be put in your dishwasher to be cleaned.

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Keep Your Range Hood Vent Maintained

• Filter cleaning/replacing:
  You need to periodically clean your over-the-stove vent hood. The thin, silvery screen is the grease filter (there may be more than one). It traps airborne oils and grease to keep them out of the blower and exhaust vent. To clean the filter, remove it and soak it in a degreasing solution until the grease is dissolved. Next, wash it with warm, soapy water to remove any traces of the degreaser. Then put it in the upper rack of the dishwasher and run it through a normal cycle. Note… If your unit circulates the air rather than vents it, it may have one or more activated charcoal filters. Don't wash these. Just replace them when they lose their effectiveness. You can find replacement filters online.

• Interior cleaning:
  Warning! Be sure the unit is turned off before you clean it. Also avoid spraying cleaner directly onto the light bulb or light bulb socket. Clean the interior of the vent hood with a standard household degreaser/cleaner.

• Exterior cleaning:
  Clean the exterior of your vent hood with a degreaser/cleaner or a non-abrasive cleanser.

• Fan motor care:
  Most vent hood fan motors don't need any maintenance. Over time, the motor and bearings may become stiff because of the constant heat, humidity, and grease to which they're subjected. The blower wheel also gets greasy and dirty, over time, which can slow down the fan or cause vibration. Remove the wheel and clean it with a degreaser. Then, if the fan is still slow or if it vibrates, you need to replace the fan motor.

• Vent cleaning:
  If your fan vents (rather than just circulates), you need to regularly check the vent that leads from the vent hood to the outside, to make sure that grease isn't building-up on the inside of it. If it is, contact a vent-cleaning contractor to clean the vent properly. (You may find such a contractor under "chimney sweeps," or "HVAC duct cleaning," or "ventilation cleaning" in your telephone book Yellow Pages.)

Please read all manufactures documents before venting your range hood or downdraft. Verify and comply with local building codes.