Home Inspections from A to Z: Hoods

Properly Installing Your Range Hood, Before Home Inspection Time

Episode 8 of "Home Inspections from A to Z"

In this episode of home inspections from A to Z we take a look at Range Hoods, as part of your kitchen's ventilation system.

Range hoods keep the air clean and safe by venting smoke and odors out of your kitchen.

Range Hoods must be installed correctly to avoid being flagged in a home inspection! This process ultimately depends on your apartment or home's kitchen layout, the location, size & style of your range hood, and whether or not outside venting is available.

Range hoods are either vented through the roof or out through an exterior wall.

An important factor to consider when installing or repairing a range hood is whether it is Ducted or Ductless. Ducted range hoods or vented range hoods move air outside of the home through a duct in the wall, typically the most effective in homes. Ductless range hoods recirculate filtered air back into your kitchen and can be installed almost anywhere. Ductless hoods are most commonly seen where outside venting is not an option. Knowing this difference will help you properly install your hood to get the most use out of your ventilation system and avoid being flagged in a home inspection.

It is recommended to have your range hood inspected at least twice a year by a licensed company.

So how do you know if your range hood has been installed properly? A hood that has been installed correctly will be able to clear smoke out of the kitchen even on the lowest setting. A vented range hood or a range hood that has been built into the property, should not blow smoke back into the home. Recirculating range hoods, on the other hand, will have this feature allowing filtered air to exhaust back into the kitchen.