The primary purpose of a range hood is to draw in kitchen odors and unpleasing scents and expelling them into a more appropriate area. For many homes, the range hood is connected to a vent that leads towards the outside of the home where kitchen smells can be released into the natural atmosphere. However, this isn’t always possible for close-quarter installations such as apartment buildings or within basements that do not have adequate ventilation systems when trying to install a basement apartment. A ductless range hood could be the answer for many homeowners where a conventional range hood is not an option. It is also suitable for homeowners who feel this style of range hood is aesthetically pleasing and could compliment current or renovated decor and furnishings.
Instead of expelling the air into the atmosphere, a ductless range hood draws in air and recycles it within a filtration system as it is released back into the area where the range hood is installed. This can be very beneficial for quick property developments or apartment complexes that are being built on a budget. The units can even be geared to suit an extremely modern living space, which can include examples like a stainless steel range hood. The installation of range hoods are simple and only require three steps to follow.
1. Perform initial inspection
Before installing a range hood, the homeowner must first flip it upside down in order to inspect the filter. It should be removed by using an appropriately sized screwdriver and inspected for signs of deterioration or discoloration. A filter that is multicolored is spoiled and should be returned to the place of purchase for exchange or refund as it is unlikely to perform up to the homeowner’s standards.
Next, the knockout hole within the range hood must be removed according to the manufacturer’s directions to expose electrical wiring. The wires should be exposed by hand and put into a resting position so that the person or people performing the installation can quickly assess where the electrical wires are to be installed after removing the original range hood or seeing where current electrical wires are being routed from.
2. Lock out power supply
The power supply to the kitchen or site of installation must be locked out in order to prevent electrical shock or even fatal electrocution. This can usually be found in the form of a fuse box within a utility room or basement. Moving the switch or breaker to an “off” position will temporarily suspend electrical current to the installation site. However, it is prudent for the homeowner to test electrical wiring by using a voltmeter. The reading should be 0, which suggests that there is no power within the wires and is safe to operate on.
3. Install range hood
Whether it is a kitchen island range hood or island mount range hood, the installation steps are the same for most conventional household installations. The homeowner first ensures that the range hood is flush with the wall or cabinets that surround it. If it is to be freestanding over an island, then this is not necessarily a problem, but should be visually inspects for its aesthetic qualities before securing it.
After securing the range hood, it is then time to connect the electrical wiring. The manufacturer’s directions should always be followed in every instance of electrical work, but it will normally be connected in terms of “black to black” and “white to white” positive and negative connectors. It is also important to ground the unit in order to prevent electrical surges, which is usually done by joining the green or copper-brown ground wire to the ground screw on the range hood. Each of these wires should be secured by using a wire clamp or wire nut.
After the unit is secured and connected, then it is time to re-install the filter according to the steps that the homeowner followed to remove it for inspection. This is usually a simple job for a typical screwdriver and should not take more than five minutes to successfully complete.
Once fully installed, the homeowner can restore power to the installation site by moving the switch on the fuse box from its former “off” position into the “on” position. Simple testing should then be completed to test lights and fans in order to asses whether or not the unit is working properly. If successful, the homeowner will have properly installed a ductless range hood that is ready to use and enjoy!
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Tags: ductless range hood, island mount range hood, kitchen island range hood, stainless steel range hood