How to Install a Range Hood

Installing a range hood in the kitchen for the first time involves drilling a hole in the wall, attaching new duct work and adding new wiring if necessary.

• Begin by unpacking the unit and removing the filter, exhaust fan and electrical housing cover. Ideally, the new hood should be large enough to extend one inch past the stovetop on all four sides.
• Use a hammer and screwdriver to remove the knockouts for the electrical cable and the duct. Insert a cable connector into the cable knockout.
• Hold the hood in place against the chosen wall. Use a pencil to mark the locations for the holes for the duct and the cable. You may need a helper for this. Some models provide a template for marking the vent holes.

Tip: Determine the height of the range hood based on its capacity. Standard models should be installed about 18 to 24 inches above the cooktop surface, while high-capacity hoods are installed 24 to 30 inches above the cooktop. 

• Choose the direction of the vent that will lead from indoors to outdoors most directly. (A rule of thumb suggests "Take the shortest path to daylight.") If your stove is not built in an exterior wall, consider consulting with a home improvement specialist, as you may need to extend a vent through the roof.
• Cut a vent hole through the interior drywall or plaster with a reciprocating saw or hole saw. Wear a dust mask and eye protection.
• Use a long bit to drill locator holes at each corner of the vent hole all the way through the exterior wall.

Tip: Take all precautions to avoid studs, pipes or wires while cutting and drilling. If you need to relocate pipes or wires, you may need to consult with a plumber or electrician. 

• Find the locater holes outside the house.
• Use a pencil or marker to connect the dots between the locater holes to outline the vent hole.
• Cut the vent hole in the siding using a reciprocating saw, saber saw with an extra-long blade or keyhole saw to follow the outline. Remove the siding.
• Remove insulation or debris that could interfere with installing the duct.

• From the outside, push the duct’s wall cap into the opening to see if the duct is long enough to reach the range hood.
• If not, purchase a duct extension and attach it with sheet metal screws and duct tape.
• Apply caulk to the siding where the cap flange will rest.
• Push the cap into place and fasten it with screws.
• Caulk the perimeter of the flange.

• Shut off power to the circuit and make sure the hood’s power switches are in the “off” position.
• Run cable from a nearby receptacle or junction box through the hole in the wall.
• Strip the sheathing and attach the cable to the range hood with the cable connector.
• Mount the hood securely by driving mounting brackets or screws into studs or adjacent cabinets. You may need a helper to hold the hood in place while you drive the screws.

Tip: You may need to consult an electrician if you need to extend wiring to the vent hood location.

• Before wiring the range hood, confirm that the power is switched off at the breaker box.
• Splice the white wire to the white fixture lead, the black wire to the black lead and the ground wire to the green lead.
• Fold the wires into place and replace the electrical cover.
• Reattach the range hood fan and filter.
• Restore power and test the range vent.

When venting through a masonry wall, use a slightly different method to cut through the wall. 

• Use a long masonry bit to drill the locator holes.
• Draw the outline carefully, double-checking that the vent can fit with room to spare.
• Drill holes about every inch along the outline.
• Use a hammer and cold chisel to chip between the holes.
• When the hole is finished, follow the above instructions for attaching the vent.
• Drill holes and drive masonry screws to attach the duct cap.

Tip: After sawing, cutting or drilling through drywall, a masonry wall and other building materials, be sure to vacuum up the dust. Wear eye protection and a respirator mask while drilling or cutting through masonry.