Has Your Range Hood Been Installed Incorrectly?

Fred's Appliance
November 5, 2013
General Appliance Repair

When it comes to renovating your kitchen, range hoods are one of the most important aspects to consider. This fantastic appliance allows you to remove airborne contaminants that are created during the cooking process. Just any other major appliance in your home, range hoods need to be installed in order to work properly. Unfortunately, this also means that errors can occur during the installation process causing your range hood to malfunction.

To help you diagnose whether your range hood is installed properly we have included some of the common installation errors below.

Check Your Range Hood’s Functionality

 

Checking the functionality of your new range hood seems like a common-sense thing to do before installing it, but it can easily be overlooked especially with a hectic kitchen renovation being done. Your range hood should plug into any outlet so before it gets mounted, make sure that it is functioning properly.

 

Duct Size & Type

Make sure that you always follow the strict rules of the manufacturer’s specifications for the duct size and type when you install your range hood. If you connect your range hood to a smaller than specified duct you are lowering the performance of your range hood. In serious cases it may even cause overheating and mechanical failure at which point you should contact your nearest appliance expert.

 

Ductless / Recirculation Installation

While it is usually recommended to connect your range hood to an outside duct, in some cases it just isn’t possible. Many high-rise condominiums and co-operative buildings prohibit any modifications that pierce the outside walls of the building. If you stay in an ultra-modern condo that has concrete ceilings it will also disallow you to have an outside duct. The solution to this problem is installing the range hood in a “ductless” or recirculating position. If you are unsure of how to do this, speak to an appliance expert or service and they will be able to help you.

 

Duct Discharge

One of the more serious issues that you can come across is when your range hood is installed so that it terminates the duct in an enclosed space. This will not only ensure that your range hood operate improperly but it will cause mold growth inside your attic as warm, moist air enters from the kitchen.

 

Duct Termination

If your duct exits from the outside it should end with a duct cap, meanwhile if you have a roof-mounted duct it may be terminated with a “U” shaped elbow, this allows the air to escape while making sure no rain or snow enters. Make sure that the cap is exactly the same size as the duct itself. No matter what the type of termination, it is always vital to have a damper (airflow controller) at the very end of the duct. This will make sure that the right air to get out and the wrong things stay out.

If you have any questions or think your range hood is faulty, contact us immediately for professional help.

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