How to Install a Range (Stove) Hood

Having a hood installed over your stove is a great way to diffuse grease and keep it from spreading throughout your home. In addition to helping to keep the air clean, it also gives you a more pleasant atmosphere to cook in, especially when you are whipping up items that are prone to creating smoke or disbursing grease, and it cuts down on cooking odors tremendously. The great thing is that range hoods do not cost a lot and they are fairly easy to install. In fact, once you purchase the hood itself, the project is one that can be complete in just a few hours.

The first thing you want to do is turn off the power supply to the kitchen. Test the wires to be sure there is no electricity going into them.

To start the actual project, you will need to gather the necessary tools. You will need the following:

Screwdriver

Drill

Drill Extension

A person to help hold the hood in place while you install it

Wire Nuts and Screws (usually included with the new kit)

Light Bulb (make sure you have the proper size and wattage for the model you are installing).

Remove the existing hood and set it to the side. Now you want to clean up this area, removing any dust or debris that may have accumulated. A soft, dry cloth should do. If you must use a slightly damp cloth, be sure to dry thoroughly before proceeding with installing the new hood.

On the underbelly of the new hood is a cover. This is in place to protect the fan and wiring. Carefully remove this panel or cover. The take the parts out that are in there (the fan, the filter, and the light, are usually what you will find). There will be two punchouts in the stove hood. One for duct work that goes through the ceiling, and one for ductwork that goes through to the exterior wall. Determine which way your ductwork is designed and punch out the material in the appropriate space (it is predesigned to allow you to do so).

Now you want to line the range hood up properly before drilling it into place. Have an assistant hold it while you align it with the keyhole openings for the screws. Put the screws about half way in, using a drill. Line the holes in the hood for venting up with your existing duct work. Make sure it is aligned as accurately as you can possibly get it.

With the other person still holding the hood in place, finish putting the screws in, with the drill.

Replace the insides of the hood that you removed earlier (light, fan, filter, etc.). Now you want to connect the wires. They should be color coded (black goes with black, white goes with white, and so on and so forth). Take the wire connectors, or wire nuts (the small pieces that cover the ends of the wires) and put them on the ends of the wires you have just matched up by color.

Tuck your wires carefully inside of the unit, and screw the panel back into position to protect these items. You may want to use a manual screwdriver to prevent scratching the surface should the drill come into contact with anything due to its bulky nature and the tight spot it could be in, depending on the arrangement you are working with. Screw in the light bulb.

Turn the power back on and test each part of the hood (the light, the various levels of speed, the fan, etc.).

Check the vents outside to ensure the air is escaping as intended.

You have now installed your new range hood. The look and function of it should serve you well.