Kitchen Venting Installation

If you’re into cooking, then you know that messes are part of the deal. But there are ways to minimize that, from washing dishes as you go to using materials on your countertop and backsplash that make cleanup easier. But what about vaporized oil, excess steam, noxious gas and strong odors? They aren’t easily cleaned because they aren’t easily seen. 

You could find yourself struggling with a window fan, running multiple air filters, and constantly wiping and scrubbing every inch of your kitchen. But there’s a better way! Ventilation is key to keep these inevitable aspects of cooking from lingering and causing issues. If you’re noticing a sticky film on kitchen cabinets and other surfaces, spots of mold or mildew, or if strong cooking odors take days to dissipate, a professionally installed kitchen vent could be your solution. 

Why is Kitchen Vent Installation Important?

Proper ventilation in the kitchen is not only important for indoor air quality but also for fire safety. Built up gas fumes from your stove and, let’s be honest, smoke from a cooking experiment gone wrong, could linger in the home and lead to breathing and respiratory stress, especially if family members are already prone to these issues. Excessive moisture from steam, whether from cooking or washing dishes, can also accumulate and lead to mold and mildew growth. Accumulated oil deposits could be fuel in the event of a fire.

Aside from the health and safety considerations, proper kitchen ventilation could also be required by your local building codes. The professionals at Scrubber Ducts are here to help you with the installation of range hoods, exhaust fans, and ventilation systems, always ensuring that they comply with local building codes and safety standards. A well-installed kitchen venting system will help to remove cooking fumes, keep your kitchen cleaner, and make your home a safer place. If you are looking to sell your home, a properly installed and vented range hood can also be a selling point and may even increase your home’s value.

Inside vs. Outside Venting

Range hoods, exhaust fans, and ventilation systems are essential for your kitchen, but should they be vented outside? Or can you simply recycle the air indoors? We would always recommend venting externally, outside of the building. However, this is not always feasible. 

Ducted range hoods, also known as vented or exhaust hoods, are what we install for our clients. They pull indoor air–along with steam, cooking oil and odors–and push them through ductwork by means of a fan inside the vent hood. The air then reaches the building’s exterior and naturally dissipates. Depending on where your kitchen is located within your building, a ducted range hood could vent through a wall, or a system of ductwork may need to be designed in order to take the vented air through the ceiling or floor, and then to the exterior of the home, perhaps even via a pipe that passes through the roof. Whatever the situation, we can build a layout and install the necessary ductwork.

There are countless ways to achieve adequate kitchen venting, and the correct solution will depend on your unique situation. A professional HVAC installer will be able to help you determine the best option for your home.

A word of caution: range hoods should never be vented somewhere else into your home, such as an attic or crawlspace. Regular venting of cooking oil and steam can create a fire hazard and increase the risk of wood rot from accumulated moisture.

DIY Or Professional?

For those homeowners who are skilled tradespeople, are aware of local building codes, and know how to safely and properly connect electrical lines, DIY installation could be a clear choice. But for most homeowners, the safest and most efficient option is to hire a professional HVAC technician. They will have the expert know-how, equipment and tools on hand to get the job done right.

An expert with a deep knowledge of ductwork can ensure that the right materials in the correct dimensions are used in your project, thereby preventing issues and ensuring a smooth installation. This can include knowing the airflow and ventilation requirements for the corresponding size of your cooktop, along with placement and clearance guidelines and ductwork routing parameters. They can also make sure that any applicable local codes are followed, and help you apply for any necessary permits.

Clear and open communication will ensure that you get the result you hoped for. Ask questions and discuss potential options and their pros and cons. As qualified, trained, state-certified HVAC technicians, the team at Scrubber Ducts has the experience and skill necessary to properly vent your kitchen exhaust and troubleshoot any issues discovered during the process.

Residential Kitchen Venting Options

The best venting system for your kitchen will depend primarily on how the room is laid out. If your cooking surface is incorporated into existing cabinetry, then the most commonly used type of kitchen venting might be an under-cabinet or wall-mounted range hood. A cabinet insert range hood is a more custom option, that is lower profile and fully incorporated underneath and within existing cabinetry. Another popular option is an over-the-range microwave that incorporates a ventilation component. They range in size and strength, and may be internally or externally venting.

If your cooking space is within an island, you can choose to install an island range hood. This unit would be ceiling mounted and visible from all sides, so it becomes a focal point of the room. An island kitchen vent requires more design to be aesthetically pleasing and is thus a naturally pricier option. Another more modern option is a downdraft range hood. This sleek way of venting cooking oil and moisture is actually incorporated right into the cooking surface, where the action happens. It maximizes space and efficiently removes contaminants at the source.

Commercial Kitchen Venting

If you run a business that includes a commercial kitchen, then you know that keeping things clean and up to code is vital. In fact, it could make or break your business. So proper and efficient commercial kitchen venting is a must to keep air clean while also reducing fire risks and associated hazards. A quality kitchen vent makes working conditions more comfortable for staff and helps to maintain a more pleasant dining environment for customers. On top of improving air quality, commercial kitchen venting can also reduce the risk of cross-contamination and regulate air temperature and particulate matter. All in all, a robust commercial kitchen vent is one of the best ways to set your business apart and offer your best to employees and customers alike.

Depending on the size and setup of your cooking operations, we will suggest a range of styles of vent hoods. Our skilled technicians will help you to select the ideal model and then work with you to design the layout, design, and installation of the related ductwork. It couldn’t be easier!

How the Process Works

When you hire a professional company like Scrubber Ducts for kitchen venting installation, you can expect a thorough and efficient process designed to ensure that your kitchen venting is properly installed and functioning perfectly. Here’s what to expect:

Consultation: The process begins with a site visit and discussion about what you are looking to have done. We go over potential kitchen vent options, based on your home’s layout and your personal preferences and then order the model you decide on, along with necessary ducting and other materials.

Installation: On the day of installation, we do whatever is necessary to avoid and prevent damage to your home and belongings, including moving aside your stove and laying down protective coverings. We then make any necessary cuts or openings in order to properly vent your range hood. We also connect electrical lines and test operation to ensure proper function. Once we are sure things are working properly, we seal any openings we created to eliminate air leaks.

Final Inspection: Once we have completed the project, but before leaving the site, we do a final inspection to ensure that the ventilation system is working as it should. The technician may provide tips for maintaining the range hood and advise on the recommended frequency for filter change or cleaning.

Professional kitchen venting installation enhances the performance and safety of your cooktop and also provides peace of mind, knowing that you are preventing fire risks. When you work with experts, you can rest assured that the job has been done thoroughly and correctly.

Contact Us Today!

If you’re ready to schedule your kitchen venting installation, contact Scrubber Ducts today! We’re your friendly, neighborhood vent and duct cleaning experts. Keep your home free of unwanted cooking oil and odors with professional venting installation, and make sure your dryer is working efficiently with our dryer vent cleaning services. Customers can also take advantage of our seasonal Clean & Check maintenance program. Get in touch today to learn more and to receive your FREE, no-hassle quote!