How to Install a Range Vent Hood

Installing a range vent hood is a necessity if you want to vent cooking odors and hot air resulting from range-top cooking out of the kitchen. A range vent hood will also add décor to your kitchen. You can purchase a range vent hood at any appliance retail outlet or home improvement center. Range vent hoods come in many styles, but all are basically installed in the same manner.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Range vent hood
• Metal ducting, adapters and flashing
• Pencil
• Reciprocating saw
• Screws and screw gun
• Insulated pliers
• Cable connector and wire nuts
• Caulk or roofing tar
• Safety goggles or glasses

1. Determine how you are going to run the ventilation ducts. You can go through an outside wall or up through the roof. Decide which will work best for your kitchen layout. Purchase the necessary ducting to cover whichever route you choose.

2. Remove the light and fan assembly and the filter from the range hood. Punch out the necessary electrical cable knockout depending on which side the power for the vent hood is coming from. Also remove the vent knockout.

3. Hold the hood up under the cabinet over the range. Mark the location of the duct knockout with a pencil. Remove the hood and cut out the hole for the ventilation ductwork in the underside of the cabinet. Repeat to make the hole in the top of the cabinet.

4. Cut a hole in the roof or outside wall to vent the range hood. Install the ductwork by placing the pieces together from the hole in the cabinet to the hole in the roof or wall. Duct tape the pieces together. Install any necessary adapters to adapt square ducting that runs from most hoods to round ducting that will be used to fit in the vent holes in the wall or roof.

5. Insert an electrical cable connector in the knockout hole for the wiring. Slip the wiring through the connector. Screw the range hood into place under the cabinet.

6. Make all electrical connections. Install the fan and light assemblies and the filter. Turn the power to the vent hood on. Check to make sure it is working properly.

7. Seal around the vent pipe flange on the roof or outside wall using caulk or roofing tar. Be sure to slip the flange under the upper roof shingles before sealing.

Tips & Warnings

• Some range hoods circulate the air in the kitchen and do not vent outside. If you purchase this type of range hood, you will not need any ducting.
• Consult with a licensed electrician when making electrical connections, if needed.
• Wear safety glasses or goggles when cutting the cabinets for the ducting and when cutting through the roof or outside wall.