10 Steps for Installing a New Range Hood

A range hood is an important part of the kitchen ventilation system. It allows hot air, smoke, and overpowering odors to be vented out of your kitchen, making cooking a safer and more enjoyable experience. However, installing one can be difficult if you don't know where to start. Use the following steps in conjunction with the instruction manual that came with your range hood to make your installation a smoother process.

Installation:

Step 1: Purchasing Your Range Hood

The first step is buying the proper range hood. Your hood's CFM rating (cubic feet per minute—the amount of air the fan can circulate in a minute) should be approximately twice the square footage of your kitchen. If there are cabinets above your stove, you can use those to determine the width of your range hood; if you don't have anything else to go by, choose a range hood that will reach 3 inches away from each side of your cooktop.

Note: If noise is an important factor in your decision, consider going with a unit that has a higher CFM than you need; a larger fan running more slowly is less noisy than a smaller fan running full-speed, and will move the same amount of air.

Step 2: Prepare

Remove the fan, filter, light housing, and electrical housing from the hood. Make sure that you turn off the power circuit where you will be working.

Step 3: Confirm the Position of the Range Hood

Hold your hood up where it will be mounted in your kitchen and outline the location for the knockout (partially punched opening) and duct.

Step 4: Begin Cutting

Drill holes at the corners of your outline and carefully cut from hole to hole using a drywall saw.  Cut a hole for the electrical cable using a drill, and pull your cable through the hole.

Step 5: Continue Cutting

You will need to cut a hole on the outside of the house. To do this, drill the four corners of your hole from the inside, and then use a reciprocating saw from the outside to cut from hole to hole, as you did in step 3.

Step 6: Attach Hood

Install a cable clamp in the knockout hole on the hood. This will keep the cables held together and organized, and will help to prevent harmful bending or twisting of the cables. Hold the hood where you want it mounted (you may want a partner for this part), feed the electrical cable through the clamp, and screw the hood into place.

Step 7:  Attach Ducting

Attach the ducting to the wall cap, and screw the wall cap into place on the outside wall. 

Step 8: Seal

Use caulk to seal the wall cap against moisture. 

Step 9: Reassemble Hood

Put the fan, light housing, and filter back into your hood. Connect the wires as indicated in your instruction manual, and cover the wiring with the electrical housing. 

Step 10: Complete

Turn the power back on and take your new range hood for a test run!