How to Install a Range Hood Under Cabinet?
Range hood can vent heat and smoke in the kitchen area using internal filter and fan. They are usually purchased alongwith a stove, but you can also buy them separately from the store.
While it’s necessary that large appliances in your house are installed by professionals, it’s quite easy to install your range hood without professional help provided you use the right technique and tools.
We are providing tips on how to properly install a range hood under cabinet.
Getting Ready For Range Hood Under Cabinet Installation – Things You Will Need
Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 1
Remove existing range hood, if it’s there
This is very easy. Simply detach wires of your old hood by gently unscrewing all wire nuts and then separating connections. Now, request your partner to hold the existing range hood in place as you loosen all its screws that hold it into place. Lift it off the screws, and put it down. Also remove all the loosened screws.
Choosing a new range hood
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Disassemble range hood cover and the filter and fan underneath
You should remove its filters first and then remove bottom panels with the help of a screwdriver. Now check bottom panel underside and make sure the duct connector present there has been unscrewed. It’s placed here to prevent any damage to the hood during transit.
Finally, go ahead and ensure removal of perforated duct knockout situated at the back end of your hood. You can use a hammer and slotted screwdriver for this, but work gently to avoid any damage to the metal.
Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 2
Preparing the Vent on Vented Hoods
If you’re planning to replace your old range hood, there is no need to drill a new rectangle for your vent or install any ductwork. However, if you’re installing a completely new range hood, you’ll have to do some extra legwork for that.
Check instruction template
Check instruction template to make the spot on your cabinet or wall for the perfect vent cutout to ensure proper range hood under cabinet installation.
These days, range hoods come with an instruction template. Use water or laser level to help mark the precise middle location on the wall in your kitchen.
Now line your template right to the wall’s centre and firmly tape it off. At this point start drilling for the cutout. Make sure the cutout perfectly matches the knockout of your range hood perfectly. This step is important to ensure hassle free range hood under cabinet installation.
If there is need, you can drill for range hood’s wiring as well. If you don’t know much about this part, hire an electrician for this part of the project.
Cut out or drill for the vent
Use a wallboard or drill to properly cut through the drywall to get perfect template shape of the cutout.
If space behind your wall is free of piping or studs, then you’re lucky! However, if there are studs or pipers there, there are so many workarounds.
Work around obstacles which you find in your cutout
While cutting opening for your exhaust vent for range hood under cabinet installation if you encounter piping, open a wider rectangle of the wall to ensure hassle free work. Then do these three things:
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Follow this procedure as discussed before. Install important ductwork in a way it safely leads outside of your home Keep in mind that venting won’t be able to terminate inside the attic or wall-the exhaust should travel through the duct outside the house.
Under Cabinet Range Hood Installation – Part 3
Installing the Hood
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Connect the wires of the Hood
The cable should run from inner side of the wall and right through the existing cable hold of the hood. The light and fan both should have white & black wires attached. If you’re not sure about the electrical connections, be sure to call your electrician.
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Now fasten grease guards onto the hood and reattach the filters. Replace hood cover with the help of screws. Power on the hood and check the working of its light as well as fan.
If range hood is ventilated, check protruding duct to ensure right ventilation.
How to install Under Cabinet Range Vent Hood
Additional tips to properly install a range hood vent in a roof
You can also install a range hood vent in your roof.
Required tools:
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Materials required for this particular project:
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Choose a vent location in your roof and drill a hole at that particular location. It should be close to the fan location. Drill bit should be left sticking through the roof because it makes it easy for you to find the hole. Go up on your roof and use a reciprocating saw for cutting a small 4 inch rounded hole. Now, measure square slightly bigger than the protruding area of the vent.
You can now remove asphalt shingles using a hook blade on a utility knife. After this, apply asphalt roof cement at the vent’s bottom side. At this stage, vent should be slided gently under the shingles in a way that they properly cover the top half portion of the vent flange. The lower part of the flange sites right on the top portion of the shingles. Now nail lower corners with the help of some roofing nails and tar these heads.
Cost of installing a range hood
For a basic project, the cost of installing a vent hood ranges from $350 – $780 per hood. Actual costs can vary and depend on job size options and present conditions.