The modern kitchen system has all the necessary facilities to provide users with a healthy and happy environment. There are uses and advantages of the latest technologies.
The range hood is such an efficient kitchen device. It can filter out the smoky, unhealthy ingredients from the air inside the kitchen. It also takes out the smoke so that the people can cook without eye-burning or breathing issues.
In this tutorial, you are going to learn how to install under cabinet ductless range hood. Before going to the primary process, you should learn a few terms to make the installation easy and straightforward.
What is a Range Hood?
You may have heard it as “vent hood,” or “exhaust hood.” It is an enclosure for the area over your range. Usually, a range hood collects vapor, smoke, fumes, and other tiny air particles with an exhaust fan.
The air condition during cooking foods appears changed and possibly unhealthy for anyone. Additional ventilation of a range hood filters the air and leaves fresh, breathable air inside the area. You can anytime turn on and off the switch of the mechanical fan integrated with range hood.
Depending on the various installation type, you can find two common types of range hoods. Ducted and ductless – both of these range hoods are friendly and suitable to install in your kitchen.
Ducted versus Ductless Range Hood
You should figure out the type of range hood suitable for your kitchen. Ducted and ductless- one has duct, and the other has none for installation – this is the basic.
The ducted hood is a conventional device in the kitchen. But there are some complications of installing a ducted range hood under cabinet. The main purpose of these vents to move the internal air to the outside. If the kitchen design supports this motive, you can install a ducted range hood.
You should connect the device to a duct with exhaust pipes. Mostly, these are parts of a commercial kitchen, big restaurants, etc. If your kitchen has the scope to throw the smoke without disturbing others, a ducted range hood is right for you.
When you can’t have the environment to throw the dirty air, smoke, or excellent outside, you should go for ductless range hood. These range hoods are ardently suitable for any kitchen condition. There is no need for the duct to set up under cabinet ductless range hood.
Ductless exhaust hoods can filter out the air through suction. After using the recirculation process, it blows the filtered air back into the kitchen. This device has activated carbon or charcoal filter. It keeps the kitchen odor and smokes free with no harmful particles. You may need to change the filter frequently to maintain the application of the range hood.
Ductless range hoods are easy to install at any type of kitchen. Besides, you can save your money as there’s no need for a duct system.
How to Install Under Cabinet Non-Ducted or Ductless Range Hood?
You can install the ductless range hood in some simple steps. You should know some important considerations about installing ductless vent hood.
Considerations
Inspect the local building department first to check the correct mounting distance between fan assembly and stovetop. It can be 24-34” distance in a typical installation. Turn off the power wit caution before you start working with an electrical project.
Don’t avoid height requirements on the hoods and local codes given by the product manufacturer. You may find some models of range hoods that can work with or without duct. If you want to use it without a duct, you may need to rotate the fan motor. Then install a metal cover plate on the opening.
Electricity
Range Hood runs with electricity. So, you should think about the electric system as well as the bill before you install it. Usually, it needs a 110V electricity source to run the vent. It doesn’t require mandatory to use a dedicated circuit to these devices. However, none would love to damage the unit with overloading.
For installing in an existing circuit, you should measure the total load on the circuit. Don’t risk the safe capacity of the circuit. If you don’t understand these matters, you contact a local electrician for worry-free installation.
Tools you need:
- Selected ductless range hood
- A tape measures
- A pencil
- A level or scale
- 2” drywall screws
- An old work box
- Electrical outlet
- A cardboard
- A tester for electrical circuit
- Drywall saw
- Mallet
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Slot head screwdriver
- A wire stripper
- A tracing paper
- 1/8” drill bit
- A drilling machine
- Stud finder
Once you have all these tools, you can start the procedures in these steps:
1st Step:
Bring the tape measure to find the wall’s center point. Measure and mark the mid-way between two upper cabinets (if you prefer two). Check the center point position repeatedly and ensure it is centered above the range of cooking. Then draw a vertical line with a pencil using a scale from your range to the ceiling.
2nd Step:
You have already known that mounting distance can be 24-34” between fan assembly and stovetop. So, measure the available space for the installation of the non-ducted range hood. Now you should have the idea of where to place the device and chimney assembly in the free space.
Then attach the chimney on the range hood top. Then, make sure the chimney is at it’s shortest length while measuring the distance between the range hood bottom and chimney top. This shortest length should be less than the distance between the range hood and ceiling. You may need to install a range hood lower on the wall if the chimney isn’t at the shortest length.
Then be sure that electrical wire drops properly for the outlet between range hood top and ceiling.
3rd Step:
In this step, you are going to work with the electrical circuit. Now, set the old work box faced against the wall from where you can see wires. Then leave trace marks around the box edges to find and mark the opening. Here, you will fit the box. You should set an outlet is such a position near the centerline where the range hood chimney must cover.
Now test the electrical circuit with a working tester as the breaker should be off. If you find live wires, switch off the circuit breaker that controls the circuit. Then, start using the drywall saw to cut along the marked box line. Start with a small hole and check if there is any wire or other obstruction.
Then, use the mallet to tap out the drywall. Pry open the old work box’s holes situated on the back. Then, thread the circuit wires through it. Insert the box with caution into the opening of the wall after you have threaded the wires into the box.
4th Step:
At this step, you need to connect the electrical outlet. Use a wire stripper to make insulated wire ready while stripping away 0.5” of insulation. Now, you need to bend each wire’s open end into a tight “J” like shape. Then, brass-colored screws should be loosened. Loop the “J” shape end on the black wire around the brass screw. Make sure you do it in a clockwise direction. Then, make the screws tight with firm pressure.
You should attach white wire to one silver screw in the same direction. It’s time to complete the task. Attach the exposed copper ground wire to the green grounding screw. This green screw is placed on the receptacle bottom.
Always be careful while tucking the wires into the box. Then connect all the straps of the electrical outlet to the box. Use mounting screws to connect them. Start testing the line by turning the power on, running to the outlet. Use the cover plate for better protection.
5th Step:
Now, you are going to mark the wall for the bracket. Find the position of mounting bracket holes. Now, hold a large tracing paper up to the position of the range hood. Mark the points where you are going to put drywall screws depending on measurements from the first step.
Drill pilot holes at the selected point with a drill and 1/8” bit. Tighten all the drywall screws till they are attached properly. Your ductless range hood will hang from these screws. Make sure the wall studs and anchors the device firmly.
6th Step:
You can add a chimney bracket at this stage. Add the bracket using drywall screws directly on the center line and the ceiling.
7th Step:
You need to spend a few moments to start using the range hood. Tighten all the mounting screws while slipping the device over them. Two studs should be running behind the device. You can identify that with a stud finder. Mark them after you find them. Now, anchor the vent hood to the studs at the marked lines from its underneath.
Final Step:
It’s time to check out everything you have done till now, working fine. Switch on the ductless range hood and check it’s working or not. If not, find what went wrong. After successful testing, attach the chimney over the range hood. Keep in mind that there is nothing to do inside the chimney.
Install a high-quality filter to recirculate the room’s air. Then, attach and secure the chimney to range hood’s body by tightening the screws. Start using the range hood!
Conclusion
The under-cabinet ductless range hood is very easy to install if you follow the steps carefully. It will take only 2-3 hours to complete the installation. You should be careful when you are working with electricity that may cause accidents being unaware of.
Use safety cautions and follow local building codes before you start anything. This tutorial may help you in further range hood installation.