If you like cooking, then an exhaust fan is an essential appliance that you must have in your kitchen. Installing an exhaust fan in the kitchen saves the kitchen owner from unpleasant odors, smoke, and unwanted grease.
Cooking, frying, and grilling are fun activities in the kitchen that can mess up the look of your kitchen if you do not have an exhaust fan installed. Noting the importance of this appliance, we’ll explore ways of how to install exhaust fan in kitchen.
Types of Installation for Exhaust Fan
There are different kitchen exhaust fans that can be used. The choice of the type of exhaust fans depends on the type of the kitchen and the personal preferences of the kitchen owner. Before we explore the options available for exhaust fans, let’s first see the installation options to give users a clear picture of what to expect.
- Wall-mounted exhaust fans
These types are positioned on the walls of the kitchen. It is an ideal option if you do not have kitchen cabinets on top of your gas station. You should also consider this option if you have a relatively large and open kitchen.
- Under-cabinet exhaust fans
These kitchen exhaust fans are put below your kitchen cabinets on top of the stove. It is an option that you can explore if you have the kitchen cabinets spread in your kitchen hanging above your stove.
- Ceiling-mounted exhaust fans
These ones are mounted on the ceiling on top of the stove. It is an option that is readily available for a commercial kitchen exhaust fan.
- Downdraft systems
This is a special type of vent that’s behind the stove and sucks down the air from the kitchen to a duct running below the floor.
Vented or Unvented Installation for Exhaust Fans
Before we look at how to install exhaust fan in the kitchen, it is important to be aware of the two different types i.e. vented or unvented. The differences between the two will guide the process of installation, thus, important to understand them.
1. Vented Exhaust Fans
The vented types of exhaust fans in the kitchen have vents attached to a duct that pushes air in the kitchen outdoors. People choosing vented exhaust fans do so because they are a great option for removing steam, heat, odor, and smoke from the kitchen.
Naturally, they help in improving the quality of the air in the kitchen. In as much as they are excellent at improving the indoor air quality, they require reinstallation of ducts. Installation of an exhaust fan can be costly if the ducts are not available in the kitchen.
Vented exhaust fans are used if you opting for a wall or under cabinet mounting because the duct must run through the kitchen wall to an outer wall. Similarly, a duct must run above the ceiling if you are opting for a ceiling-mounted exhaust fan.
2. Unvented Exhaust Fans
This is an option for exhaust fans that do not have ducts. They work by recirculating the air in the kitchen to improve the quality of the air in the kitchen. this ductless option filters odors and grease from the air but does not remove heat and humidity from the kitchen.
If you are using a ductless exhaust fan in the kitchen, you can install it anywhere and the location of the stove doesn’t matter a lot. It is an option that most homeowners use if they are staying in their homes temporarily. It is also a cheap option that uses less energy.
Steps For Installing Exhaust Fan in the Kitchen
Again, the defined steps depend on whether you are installing a ducted or ductless exhaust fan. We’ll explore the steps to be followed in both.
Installing a Ducted Exhaust Fan?
Here are the steps that you should follow:
Step 1: Draw a route for your exhaust hole
The first step is to establish the route that the duct will pass through the kitchen to the outdoor. After you have established the route, you then cut holes to a sizeable amount that will fit the duct pipe.
Step 2: Insert your duct
You have to be precise when inserting the duct on the wall. Use drywall to cut the areas that you have drawn to insert the vent pipe.
Step 3: attaching duct elbow
The next step is to reposition the plumb bob. You need a duct elbow, which will be attached to the exhaust port.
Step 4: Install the exhaust fan
The transition duct pipe needs to be attached to the exhaust fan. Be careful to allow all the functions to work seamlessly. Place it where you want it mounted.
Step 5: Attach connector duct
The final step is attaching the connector duct while inserting the cap. You have the option of sealing the edges with a rubber gasket.
Installing a Ductless Exhaust Fan?
Here are the steps that you should follow:
Step 1: Find space
Remember, ductless exhaust fans are mobile and you can install them anywhere within the kitchen space. So, the first step is to find a suitable place for the kitchen exhaust fans.
Step 2: Check measurements
After you have identified the space for installation of the kitchen exhaust fan, you should measure the height and size of the exhaust fan against the space that you have. Ensure it gets sufficient space for installation.
Step 3: Install the exhaust fan
You will find installation instructions on the hood. You then attach it to the space you have set aside for the kitchen exhaust fan.
Step 4: Attach studs
Finally, you’ll need to anchor the exhaust fan to the studs.
Tips for Installing a Kitchen Exhaust Fan
If you have read the instructions and still struggling with how to install exhaust fan in kitchen, you should remember these tips:
- You need to ensure that you have considered the right height for your exhaust fan.
- Whilst ductless fans are pretty easy to install, you might need a professional to help you install ducted fans.
- Routing your exhaust fans to the nearest exit increases efficiency.
- Ensure that the airflow capacity of the exhaust fan is not less than the total duct length.
- Get all the tools needed before you get started.
Final say:
Anyone can use this information to install an exhaust fan in the kitchen. It is not a hard job but requires keenness to ensure the connections are perfect.