Getting a range hood is one thing, but installing it is something else. If your home or apartment already has one, you are one of the luckiest ones. But why should a hood be that difficult to install?
Well, the main unit is fun to put together. What sets the mood off is the venting. Especially if you don’t have a space to vent it up the roof. So can the range hood vent go down? Obviously! But there’s a twist to it. Which needs a bit of explaining.
Let’s get to it right away.
Can a Range Hood Be Vented Through the Floor?
We are all familiar with the stove top range hoods, which require venting either vertically through the wall or horizontally on the roof. This is the best way to go, as grease and fume can go over your house without getting everywhere.
Also, they are easy to clean. Simply change the filter and you are good to go. But not all homes have the luxury of venting over the roof.
Especially wood cabins and apartments that have no access to the roof. So most people opt for the same over-the-top range hood and direct it to the basement.
While there is no issue doing that, the cost, ducting, and extra venting fan to pull out the air from the basement are way too much. So what do you do?
You can use a Downdraft range hood, that sits on the middle of your stove. The venting can go inside the wall and then downwards. Or you can simply drill a hole in the floor and install the venting there. You’ll have to keep some things in mind while doing that as it is hard to accomplish.
The things you should keep in mind while venting your Downdraft through the wall or floor:
- Make sure there is no beam or the wall is not load-bearing. This will cause a huge problem to walk the duct and vent through.
- A basement joist coming up on the wall can also be a problem. Do not attempt to cut a hole through it.
If both of these check, you are good to go simply mark the place you want to install the vent and go on drilling. A 3 to 3 ½ inch diameter will be enough.
But don’t let the air go wild in the basement. Guide the duct outside and install the vent on the basement wall. And you are all set to cook.
Can You Use a Regular Range Hood Instead of Downdraft?
Sure you can use a regular range hood and guide the vent out from your basement. But as the duct is going down instead of going vertical or horizontal, it will need a bender. And from there a long duct inside the wall into the basement and to the vent.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Should a range hood go all the way to the ceiling?
Not all range hoods go all the way to the ceiling. Some can just hang around on top of the stove and not close to the ceiling at all. It depends on the type of ducting and ventilation you are using. But going way up the ceiling is an aesthetic as older hoods used to be like that.
Can range hood vents have bends?
Yes. Range hood ovens that cannot be ducted horizontally will have bends vertically and then move on horizontally. Also if you are trying to vent your range hood through the basement or floor, you will have to install bends in order for it to work. The efficiency gets a lot less this way though.
Do range hoods need makeup air?
Normally a range hood does not require makeup air. Especially if the kitchen has adequate air circulation. But if you have a small kitchen and not many windows, it might require make-up air. Also, if you are venting it through a bent duct through the basement, makeup air is needed for the hood to work properly. Talk with an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) professional for better assessment.
Can you vent a range hood horizontally?
Yes. Range hood vents are better at work when it is in a horizontal position.
Conclusion
The range hood is and will always be more powerful than a Downdraft. This is because a hood goes up to the roof or the wall. But when the same range hood goes down on the floor and to the basement, the power depletes a lot. So a downdraft is a good alternative. Also, ductless hoods are worthwhile to look into as it does not need ducts at all.
