Range Hood Installation 101: What Homeowners Need to Know
Author: James Zhao, Sr. Tech Specialist & Alex Park, Product Specialist
Even after selecting the perfect range hood, proper installation is essential to make the most out of your investment. That’s why at FOTILE, we’ve compiled the need-to-know behind selecting and installing a range hood for your kitchen.
From our FOTILE family to yours, here are our best range hood installation tips! As always, please feel free to get in touch with our dedicated support team if you have any questions.
What to Do Before Installing a Range Hood
Before beginning the installation of a range hood, it's essential to understand the specific requirements and constraints of your kitchen space and the type of range hood that will best meet your needs. Properly preparing to install it ensures the process goes smoothly, whether you're installing a ductless range hood, ducted range hood, vent hood, or stainless steel range hood.
Check Your Local Building Codes
When planning to install a range hood, it's important to first check with your local building department or municipal government for applicable building codes. These codes ensure the ventilation systems are safe and efficient, capable of handling heat, smoke, and grease from cooking.
Adhering to these regulations enhances the safety and functionality of your kitchen and helps avoid potential legal and insurance issues. Therefore, ensuring compliance with these standards is crucial for both homeowners and builders.
Choose the Right Type of Range Hood
Not all range hoods are created equally. Whether you’re looking for a high-end range hood from FOTILE or something else like a vented range hood, the first step to any installation process is making sure you have the right range hood.
In turn, new homeowners and first-time renovators alike have questions, such as:
- Will an overhead range hood or side-draft range hood work best for me?
- Should I install a cupboard above my range hood?
- What kind of range hood is preferred for tall ceilings?
While your stylistic preferences are unique, there are specific range hood installation methods that accompany each model. Of note, many range hoods can be installed with or without overhead cupboards, as depicted below.
1. Side-Draft Range Hood
For aesthetic purposes, homeowners oftentimes choose to block their range hood smoke pipe from view using cabinets. In turn, cabinet height is particularly important for range hood installation. For example, if the range hood is too far away from the stove, you may not have sufficient suction to carry out the smoke, grease, and particulate matter that results from cooking.
While a cabinet board or FOTILE decorative stainless-steel plate will slightly lower the range hood, cabinet height is essential to avoid misalignment. Be sure to follow the FOTILE manual’s installation diagram for the proper dimensions.
2. Chimney Range Hood
For top suction hoods, we recommend additional planning when drawing your floor plans. As a best practice, do not include a hanging cabinet above the hood. Additionally, we suggest determining the positioning of the power cord and exhaust port. In turn, you can avoid unnecessary rework of your range hood install.
Ensure Your Range Hood Fits Your Space
Measure your kitchen space accurately to ensure the range hood fits perfectly. Consider the height above the cooktop, the width of the cooking surface, and the proximity to any adjacent walls. A well-fitted range hood is more effective at ventilating your kitchen and integrates seamlessly with your kitchen’s design.
Ensure Your Range Has Proper CFM Power
The effectiveness of a range hood is determined by its CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, which measures the volume of air it can vent in a minute. The right CFM rating depends on your kitchen size and cooking frequency. For high-output cooking equipment, a higher CFM is necessary to adequately remove smoke, grease, and odors.
HOW TO INSTALL YOUR RANGE HOOD IN FIVE SIMPLE STEPS
In general, the five steps to install a range hood include:
1. Opening the flue hole
2. Pre-embedding the smoke pipe
3. Installing the suspended ceiling with the right materials
4. Positioning and installing the cabinet system
5. And installing the range hood
Knowing which range hood you plan to install before proceeding into any kitchen renovations is key. We invite you to visit our collection of FOTILE range hoods for a full list of options.
1. Opening the Flue Hole
Although you should refer to the unique manual for your FOTILE range hood, most flue holes will be circular in shape with a 6’’ diameter.
By reserving sufficient vent hole space at the beginning of the range hood installation process, you can avoid cumbersome rework later on in the process of installing vented range hoods.
2. Pre-Embedding the Smoke Pipe
The purpose of pre-embedding the smoke pipe in a range hood install is twofold. First, the finished product will look better. Second, the service technician will be able to streamline their portion of the installation process.
Of note, we advise opening the ceiling gusset or making holes in the ceiling if you choose to suspend the ceiling before embedding the smoke pipe, although this is not the preferred installation sequence.
As for measurements, we recommend a maximum smoke pipe length of 16 feet while not exceeding three bends. We also advise against bending at right angles. This is because longer smoke pipe distances reduce suction power.
3. Installing the Suspended Ceiling with the Right Materials
Kitchens are notorious for heavy moisture, oil, smoke, and vapor levels. In turn, we highly recommend choosing durable, high-quality ceiling materials. Although aesthetics are the goal for every homeowner, practicality must be taken into consideration as well throughout the ceiling material selection and range hood installation process.
4. Positioning and Installing the Cabinet System
In order to prevent potential damage to your range hood, we recommend positioning and installing your cabinet system first. That’s because dust, wood chips, and debris can easily land inside your range hood if the range hood is installed first.
Be sure that you fully understand your range hood’s proportions and height requirements before installing any cabinets. You may also want to let your cabinet designer know of any requirements beforehand if you decide to install a cabinet above the range hood.
5. Installing the Range Hood
Now that your flue hole, smoke pipe, ceiling, and cabinets are in position, it’s time to install your range hood. We advise installing your range hood as the final step of the process to avoid scratches, smoke pipe damage, or debris contamination.
Always check your range hood installation manual to ensure you select the right height.
- Range hoods that are too low may overheat, posing a fire risk if oil has accumulated in the panel.
- Range hoods that are too high may not have enough suction power to be effective, allowing smoke and debris to settle in your kitchen.
As a final step to your range hood install, please remove the fan cover film and decorative cover as soon as possible to prevent discoloration, uneven removals, or permanent staining.
Range Hood Maintenance After Installation
Maintaining your range hood after installation ensures it continues to operate efficiently. Regular maintenance includes cleaning the grease filters monthly, depending on usage, to prevent buildup that can hinder performance. It's also important to check and replace charcoal filters every six months if you use a ductless model.
Inspecting the vent system annually for any blockages can also extend the life of the range hood. Keeping the exterior clean maintains its appearance and functionality by allowing sensors and controls to operate unhindered.
How Much Does Professional Range Hood Installation Cost?
The cost of professional range hood installation typically ranges from $200 to $500, but this can vary depending on factors like the complexity of the installation, the model of the range hood, and any required structural modifications. Costs might also increase if there are needs for electrical upgrades, ductwork, or custom carpentry.
For those purchasing FOTILE range hoods, they collaborate with local authorized 3rd party installation partners across the United States to provide installation services. If a local installer from this network is not available, customers are encouraged to search for an authorized installer in their area. When selecting an installer, it’s advisable to compare multiple quotes to ensure competitive pricing and to verify the installer’s credentials and reviews.
Getting Started with FOTILE
If you’re ready to learn why FOTILE is trusted by homeowners worldwide, we invite you to explore our range hood collection. Between the stunning aesthetics of our range hoods and their high-quality functionality, FOTILE raises the bar for luxury kitchens. We also employ range hood installers, in NY, the Bay Area, and Houston. Whether you have questions or are interested in learning more, please visit our FOTILE website, including our FAQs page, for more installation tips. Thank you for reading, and best of luck throughout your installation!
Range Hood Installation FAQ
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