How to Install Ductless Kitchen Range Hoods

The two styles of range hoods are ducted and ductless. A ductless kitchen range hood saves you time and materials for the ductwork, leaves valuable cabinet space without having the duct passing through, and will not send air-conditioned air or heated air outside the home by recirculating filtered air. Installing a ductless kitchen range hood is much like installing the ducted style, only without the venting work.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Wood strips (as needed)
• Nails (as needed)
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Pencil
• Wire clamp
• Color-coded wire nuts

Instructions

1. Turn off the kitchen circuit breaker at your electric panel. Cover the circuit breaker with a piece of masking tape so nobody turns it on while you are working.

2. Attach wood strips to the cabinet and back wall, using a hammer and nails to support the mounting screws, if the areas are too thin for the hood screws.

3. Place your ductless kitchen range hood on the floor with the filter screen and light facing upward. Unscrew the metal electrical box cover next to the hood light or fan with a screwdriver, exposing the wiring.

4. Hold the hood in place with your assistant's help while you mark the screw holes with a pencil. If your hood screw holes are keyhole-shaped, secure the screws halfway, slip the hood into place and tighten the screws. For other holes, get assistance holding the hood while you secure the screws.

5. Thread the wall wires through the knockouts on the back of your hood. The wall wires are usually 12 inches long coming out of the wall to connect to the hood. Use a wire clamp to hold the wires together. Wire clamps are a must for preventing wires rubbing against the sharp metal edges because of fan vibration.

6. Connect the ends of the hood's white (neutral) wires with the end of the white wall wire, twisting the wire ends with a color-coded wire nut to cap the ends. Repeat with the black (hot) wires. Screw the green (ground) wire ends to the ground nut on your hood. Tuck the wires neatly in the electrical box.

7. Replace the electrical box cover on the hood. Remove the masking tape and turn on the electricity to your kitchen. Test your ductless kitchen range hood light and fan.

References

• HammerZone.com: Installing a Non-Venting Kitchen Range Hood
• Home and Garden Improvements Online: Installing a Ductless Kitchen Range Hood