QA

Quick Answer: How To Install Range Hood Vent Ductwork

What type of duct is best for venting a range hood?

Rigid duct is the best type of duct to vent your range hood. It requires a one-time installation and little to no maintenance as long as you clean your range hood filters. Most rigid ductwork is made from durable stainless steel, as opposed to rigid ductwork which is aluminum or flimsy plastic.

Do range hoods have to be vented outside?

Range hoods do not have to be vented to the outside. But, ducted range hoods are almost always preferred over ductless hoods. They remove all the smoke and cooking exhaust from your kitchen, while ductless hoods recirculate your cooking exhaust back into your kitchen.

How do you vent a range hood on an outside wall?

Attach a wall or roof cap to the exterior wall or roof. Determine where you want to vent your range hood. Install your ductwork in the shortest unobstructed path to the outside of your home. Cut a hole 1-2 inches larger than your ductwork where you’ll run the duct from your hood. Attach the range hood to your ductwork.

Can I use PVC pipe to vent a range hood?

The code does not allow this material. Range hoods shall discharge to the outdoors through a duct. The PVC duct extends not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the indoor concrete floor surface. The PVC duct extends not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above grade outside of the building.

How high above my stove should my range hood be?

In general, most installations require a distance from 20″ to 24″ between the bottom of the hood and the cooking surface. Over a gas range, this distance should be between 24″ and 30″, unless otherwise specified.

Should I vent my range hood through the roof?

If a roof is not vented, then grease, dirt, smoke, and chemicals will build up inside your attic. It can be dangerous to your health to keep these contaminants inside your home. Venting your range hood into the attic essentially defeats the purpose of having a ducted range hood.

Are ventless hoods any good?

Unvented range hoods do filter some grease and cooking odors from the air, but the general consensus is that they’re nowhere near as effective. Nor do they remove heat and humidity, so they won’t help keep your kitchen cool while you cook.

Can you vent range hood through soffit?

You must not vent into the soffits, or even under the soffits unless you are more than a foot and a half below the soffit to allow the wind to dissipate the moisture before it rises back up into the attic.

Can you vent a range hood to the side?

One of the most important choices you’ll make when it comes to your new range hood is whether or not it will vent outside. Ducting your vent hood to the outside is the best option to keep your air clean and healthy. But, depending on the design of your kitchen, you may be limited to where you can install the ductwork.

What is code for a range hood?

Although the international CFM code for range hoods is 100CFM, some local authorities allow for range hoods with slightly lower or higher CFM than this, depending on the type of your cooking, and the square footage of your cooktop.

Can you use plastic ducting for cooker hood?

The best practice length that the duct needs to be extended to is 90% of its maximum length. PVC ducting is the cheapest one available, but is highly versatile and can be used in the majority of general ventilation connection applications, including cooker hoods.

How do you size a range hood vent?

Simply put, the higher the CFM, the more air the hood vents out of your kitchen. To power your range hood, you need at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of your stovetop. For example, a 100,000 BTU stove needs at least a 1000 CFM range hood. For electric stoves, multiply the stove width by 10.

Where do you put a range hood outlet?

If you use a range hood that has additional electrical features like a microwave oven, then that hood needs an electrical outlet, which needs to be wired on a separate branch. The outlet should also be grounded. The best spot for an outlet is in the cabinets above or to the side of the range hood.

Does a range hood have to be the same size as the stove?

Range Hood Ventilation The new hood should be at least as wide as the range or cooktop and preferably 3 inches longer on each side. The most common widths are 30 and 36 inches. For optimal performance, install a hood 20 to 24 inches away from an electric cooktop and 24 to 30 inches from a gas cooktop.

Is a vent hood required for a gas range?

Most gas ranges in the United States do not require venting to the outside. We recommend venting any gas range to the outside of your home. A professional-grade range hood will evacuate harmful cooking fumes, reduce cooking odors, and improve your health and safety.

Can I replace ductwork myself?

To answer the question of whether or not you can replace or install your own ductwork, I’d say it is possible but that I highly recommend enlisting the help of a heating, cooling, and ductwork expert. Ductwork runs all throughout your house, which makes doing DIY repairs yourself a heavy contracting lift.