Ventilation is one of the most important elements that you need in a modern kitchen. You wouldn’t call your kitchen modern if it doesn’t have a proper ventilation system. Simply learning how to wire an exhaust fan in the kitchen could help you solve this problem. You are probably asking yourself how a simple exhaust fan in the kitchen is helpful in creating proper ventilation in the kitchen. We’ll explore all that you need to know about the wiring of an exhaust fan in the kitchen and how it benefits you.
Benefits of Wiring an Exhaust Fan in the kitchen
You will enjoy the following benefits if you can wire an exhaust fan in the kitchen:
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Ventilated Kitchen
The top benefit that you get to enjoy is that of a properly ventilated kitchen. Of course, the kitchen is one of the widely greased areas in your house. This is because of the numerous cooking activities that happen in the kitchen. So, if you don’t want your kitchen to be greased, you should learn how to install and wire an exhaust fan that will remove the moisture out of the room.
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Save Money
There are numerous ways you can save money by wiring your exhaust fan in the kitchen. Firstly, you won’t have to call an electrician to do the work for you. This is a great benefit since electricians are very expensive. Secondly, you save yourself from kitchen renovation because of the accumulated moisture that destroys various aspects of the kitchen such as paint.
Of course, there are many other benefits, though these are the two that you can relate to.
The Process of Wiring an Exhaust Fan in the Kitchen
The process of wiring your kitchen needs attention. This is why we want to detail it bit by bit so that you can understand how to do it correctly.
Step 1: Consider the type of exhaust fan that you have
The first step is more of a preliminary step that requires you to think about the different types of cook exhaust fans. This is because there are different types of kitchen exhaust fans, which are wired differently.
In this demonstration, we will look at a basic kitchen exhaust fan of 120volt.
Step 2: Cut the power source
The next step is to locate the circuit and cut the power source. You do not want to start wiring your exhaust fan in the kitchen with live electrical currents flowing. This can be extremely dangerous. You need to test that the power has been cut before you proceed. You can use a voltage tester.
Step 3: Locate the junction box
You will find this inside the kitchen exhaust fan. It has a blank cover, which you should remove. Here, you will find three wires i.e. green (ground), white (neutral), and black (power) wires.
Step 4: Insert the cable inside the junction box
You should use the opening provided for the cable to get the wires in. You need to use a cable connector that will protect the circuit cable. The circuit cable should be guided into the junction box. While doing this, you should be installing the kitchen exhaust fan on the cabinet.
Step 5: Cut the extra wires
You will now need to remove the extra wires but leave enough for lengths for connections. Strip about one inch of the insulated wire to allow you to wire your connections.
Step 6: Connect matching pairs
Remember the three colors of wires that you have at hand. You now need to match them as you wire them in the junction box. Ensure you do it right. At this point, you should trim excess wires that cause unevenness. After you are done, you should cover the junction box.
Step 7: Restore power
The final step is to restore power to check if the exhaust fan is working. It should work well if you followed the process correctly.
You should remember that different exhaust fans operate differently and you should pick the best kitchen exhaust fans for your project. It is also important to follow the directions provided in the manual since the exhaust fans vary.
Importance of Knowing Wiring an Exhaust Fan in the Kitchen Correctly
It is of great importance to do it right. Knowledge of wiring in the kitchen should help you avoid unwanted damages.
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To Avoid Fire
When you wire correctly, you will protect your home from a possible fire, which can be caused by an electric fault. Remember that electrical wiring is extremely delicate and a simple mistake could cost you a lot.
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Lose Insurance Cover
If you have covered your home against fire, you might lose your cover if you make mistakes when wiring your kitchen exhaust fans. You need to do it right and show cause for the insurance to retain their cover.
Hire an Electrician if You Don’t Know How to Wire an Exhaust Fan in the Kitchen?
The definite answer is yes. You need to hire a professional electrician to help you with wiring if you don’t have experience in wiring. An electrician will also come in handy if you are wiring a commercial kitchen fan. The reasons why you need to hire an electrician include:
- They exhibit professionalism and you will be sure that the work will be done perfectly
- They have experience in handling various cook exhaust fans and are competent to handle nearly all types of exhaust fans in the kitchen
- They also save you time and give you peace of mind that the work will be done within a certain period.
Conclusion
You can easily learn how to wire an exhaust fan in the kitchen. You just need to know the type of exhaust fan and read its manual. If it is complex like a commercial kitchen exhaust fan, you should call the services of an electrician to help you with the wiring.