Why Remodeling is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Kitchen Ventilation

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, don’t forget to add ventilation over the range. Ventilation, properly exhausted to the outdoors, is a real boon to any kitchen, as anyone who cooks knows. There’s just nothing like being able to remove smoke, odors and steam with the flick of a switch by exhausting it outdoors.

If all you have had in your home prior to the remodel is a recirculating range hood, then all it has been doing is drawing up air and sending it back out into your home again. This time, you want the range hood to connect to ducts that send the stale air outside. Often, a recirculating range hood can be converted to exhaust air outdoors. However, you may want to explore some of the newer, more efficient models on the market, some of which are much quieter than older models.

So here’s what you should know about adding kitchen ventilation during your remodeling job.

Installing Ductwork

If you already had ductwork from a previous range hood or ventilation system, you can take measurements and shop for a ventilation system that fits the exhaust boot. If you can’t find a ventilation system to fit the ductwork, you will have to move it or replace it.

If your range is located against an exterior wall, existing ductwork will be found in the cabinets over the range. If there is no ductwork, it will have to be installed. Ideally, the ductwork should be located between two ceiling joists in an exterior wall.

You can also run the ductwork through an upper cabinet and through the roof, or turned down through an eave. Run ductwork for range hoods located against interior walls into the soffit above cabinets or between ceiling joists, then through the nearest exterior wall.

Remember, kitchen ventilation exhausted to the outdoors (never into the attic) can prevent mold and other high-humidity issues in your home, so it’s well worth the extra cost and effort to install it when you remodel.

To learn more about kitchen ventilation, contact NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating, serving Palm Beach County.