Install a range hood exhaust vent

You can see by the patch of grease on the ceiling that a range hood has been needed for some time. In fact, I think it was needed before we moved in a couple years ago. I saw the breaker in the electrical subpanel that said ‘exhaust fan,’ but there wasn’t an exhaust fan here

But when I cut a hole for the pipe to go through the ceiling, I found an old exhaust vent in the insulation. Problem was this exhaust ducting was plastic and was running a long distance to exit the roof. Both are a bad.

This project was one I’ve meant to do for a long time and when I was putting off because I wasn’t sure how to do it. That’s probably how the previous folks had felt, too.) I planned for this install when I put in the window to the right—by running an outlet to the space above the range, but slightly off-center (4”) so the fan plug wasn’t directly behind the exhaust duct. I didn’t know at the time what hood we would use, so I had to best-guess it and I was only off by about 3/4” (the outlet cover sticks out from behind the hood a little, but I picked a black electric box cover to make it blend in better.

Another reason why I didn’t jump on this project is I wasn’t keen to cut a hole in my roof. But I got it done and goobered with roof-rated black sealant.

Like any project that requires parts, I need two trips to the home improvement store. I would recommend doing your Internet research, but what I found was using a galvanized steel duct connected to a special purpose exhaust vent (with a bird screen) that accepts a duct like this. I would also recommend purchasing an insulated sleeve to wrap the ductwork in the unconditioned attic space.

Our vent hood is one of the least expensive on the Internet, and I already anticipate replacing it when it doesn’t work anymore. The biggest challenge with this event cover was my unusually short ceiling and the angle of the vault. This led me to cut the sheet metal with an angle grinder and cutoff wheel after marking with a pencil and applying what little formal geometry skills I have.

Looks nice to the untrained eye. It’s functional, my wife is pleased, and my tools are put away. Success.