How To Install Make Up Air For Range Hood? Inspiring 2023

Do you want to improve the ventilation in your kitchen? Learn how to install make up air for range hood efficiently with our step-by-step guide. Installing make-up air for range hoods is integral to maintaining a safe and comfortable kitchen environment.

Make-up air helps to replace the air exhausted from a range hood when used, preventing negative pressure in your home. Without make-up air being supplied, you may experience odors or exhaust fumes returning to the home or kitchen.

Knowing the requirements for make-up air in your local jurisdiction, identifying the components you need to install, and planning installation steps can help ensure a safe and effective system setup.

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Why Is Makeup Air Crucial For Range Hoods?

Make-up air is fresh air from outside supplied to a home or building to replace the exhaust from any ventilation fans. For range hoods, make-up air helps to maintain balanced pressure in the kitchen and prevents back-drafting of exhaust gases or odours.

In some local jurisdictions, it may be required to have an adequate supply of make-up air for certain types of range hoods.

Requirements For Make Up Air In Your Local Jurisdiction:

Before installing make-up air for the range hood, you must understand the requirements in your local jurisdiction. Different jurisdictions may have different rules and regulations regarding where and how much make-up air needs to be supplied. Before starting any work, you may need to check with your local building department or other authority.

Some of the main requirements you may need to consider include the following:

The minimum amount of make-up air required to be supplied (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM)
Where the make-up air must be located (outside, open attic space, etc.)
Whether additional combustion appliances such as furnaces and water heaters need to be connected to the same, make-up air system
Any additional ventilation requirements or considerations for kitchens and other rooms in the home

Makeup Air Components You Need To Install:

Once you understand the requirements in your local jurisdiction, it is time to start identifying the components you need to install. Depending on the size and complexity of your setup, you may need to purchase different components such as ducting, registers, grills, dampers, etc. Common items you will likely need include:

Make-up air ducting
Wall or ceiling registers
Intake grills
Filters
Backdraft dampers
Fans or blowers (if needed)

Plan The Installation Process For Your Make Up Air System

Before installing your make-up air system, planning the steps involved is essential. This can help you figure out any potential issues ahead of time and ensure that the installation goes smoothly. Some of the main steps you need to consider include the following:

Marking out where all components will be installed
Measuring and cutting the ducting pieces to size
Installing the registers, grills, dampers, and other components
Connecting the make-up air system to your range hood exhaust system
Testing the system for proper functioning
Making any adjustments or fine-tuning as needed

How To Install Make Up Air For Range Hood?

Step 1: Install the Make up Air Ducting and Components

Once you have planned the installation steps and identified all the components needed, you can start installing your make-up air system. This generally involves measuring and cutting pieces of ducting, installing wall or ceiling registers, and connecting dampers, filters, and other components as required. Ensuring all components are installed and connected before testing the system is essential.

Step 2: Test and Adjust the Make up Air System

Once you have installed all of the components, it is time to test out your make-up air system and ensure it functions properly. You should start by turning on your range hood fan and then checking the make-up air system for proper functioning. Ensure that all components are working as expected and that an adequate supply of make-up air is provided to the kitchen. If adjustments need to be made, do so at this time before finishing up the installation.

Step 3: Connect the Makeup Air System to the Range Hood Exhaust

The last step in installing make-up air for the range hood is to connect it to the exhaust system. This usually involves attaching the necessary components, such as ducts, dampers, filters, etc., and ensuring they are adequately sealed. Once this is done, you can test out the entire setup to ensure it functions correctly.

Step 4: Ensure Compliance with Local Codes and Regulations

Once you have installed and tested your make-up air system, ensuring it complies with local codes and regulations is essential. This may involve getting a permit or having an inspection done by the local building authority. If your installation does not meet the required standards, you may need to make changes or adjustments before it is deemed acceptable.

Now you know all the steps about how to install make up air for range hood. If you can read more about the range hood, click here.

Do I Need Makeup Air For My Range Hood?

There are several factors to consider, including the type of range hood you have, the size of your kitchen, and your local building codes. A makeup air system is usually needed for larger, high-powered range hoods and in tight buildings.

Range hoods with high CFMs (cubic feet per minute) may require makeup air to compensate for the large amount of air they exhaust. You need this to keep a balanced indoor environment, prevent negative pressure, and make sure the air is moving.

Furthermore, makeup air might be necessary in modern, energy-efficient houses. The tighter building envelopes reduce natural air infiltration, so it’s critical to introduce fresh air to exhaust fans like range hoods.

You can check your range hood’s specs and your local building codes to see if makeup air is needed. Professionals can assess your specific requirements and help you decide if makeup air is needed for your range hood. By addressing makeup air properly, your kitchen ventilation will function effectively and keep your house healthy.

Where To Install Make Up Air Damper:

Range hood makeup air dampers are installed depending on a few things, like the type and layout of your kitchen. Makeup air dampers come in a few different styles:

In-Line with the Range Hood Ducting: Range hoods usually have a makeup air damper in-line with the ducting system. Normally, it goes in the duct between the range hood and the exterior. When you use the range hood, makeup air goes straight into the exhaust flow.
Near the Range Hood:You can install the makeup air damper near the range hood in some setups, especially for recirculating range hoods. There may be a need for additional ducting at this location.
At a Strategic Entry Point: You can also install it at a strategic entry point in the kitchen. You could use a nearby window or a vent. When the range hood operates, the damper lets fresh air in, keeping the atmosphere balanced.
Ducted to the HVAC System: Your home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system can sometimes handle makeup air. You can control makeup air from one place and distribute it all over the house.

Makeup air dampers should be placed based on factors like the range hood’s CFM rating, the layout of your kitchen, and local building codes. If you’re not sure about the installation process or location for your makeup air damper, consult a professional. When it’s installed right, it’s effective and maintains the air quality.

Where Is The Makeup Air Intake Located?

Makeup air intakes for your kitchen ventilation system, including range hoods, can vary depending on your kitchen’s layout and your house’s design. Here’s where makeup air comes in:

Exterior Wall: A makeup air intake is usually on the exterior wall. When the range hood or other exhaust device is running, fresh outdoor air is drawn into the kitchen space. You can have a louvered vent or a dedicated duct with a damper for the intake.
Near the Range Hood: If your range hood has limited ducting options or is a recirculating hood, the makeup air intake might be right beside it. Whenever fresh air is introduced near the cooking area, it compensates for air that’s being exhausted.
Connected to HVAC System: HVAC systems may introduce makeup air into homes with central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. By doing this, makeup air can be distributed better throughout the whole house.
Roof Ventilation: Especially in commercial and industrial settings, makeup air systems may have roof intakes. Outdoor air can be brought into the building and distributed when needed thanks to makeup air units mounted on the roof.
Through a Window: A window in the kitchen can be opened for makeup air to be blown into the room. Natural air infiltration is one of the ways that makeup air can be incorporated, but this method may be less controlled and efficient than dedicated makeup air systems.

It depends on what your kitchen needs, what kind of range hood you have, and what building codes are in your area. Using kitchen exhaust devices in the right way ensures balanced ventilation, prevents negative pressure, and maintains indoor air quality. Makeup air intake location should be discussed with a professional.

Is It Necessary To Use Make Up Air?

If your kitchen ventilation system needs makeup air, especially with a range hood, it depends on several factors that affect your indoor environment.

Choosing the right range hood depends on the type and capacity. A range hood with a high CFM rating, designed to eliminate smoke, cooking odors, and pollutants, can create negative pressure in your house. Gas appliances can backdraft combustion gases from this negative pressure, which poses safety risks. Makeup air counteracts negative pressure by introducing fresh outdoor air, keeping the environment balanced and safe.

You also need to check the tightness of your house’s construction. The modern home is usually energy-efficient and well-insulated, which reduces natural air infiltration. However, this can exacerbate negative pressure issues. For proper ventilation and indoor air quality, makeup air is essential.

Range hoods with high CFM ratings may also require makeup air, depending on local building codes. You need to follow these codes to make sure your ventilation system is safe and legal. Now you know some buying factors about make up air for range hood.

Making the decision to use makeup air ultimately depends on your situation. If you have a high-CFM range hood, live in a tight-sealed house, or have to adhere to local codes, makeup air might be necessary. A professional with experience in kitchen ventilation can help you assess your needs and make sure your ventilation system works efficiently and safely.

Conclusion

We hope now you know “how to install make up air for range hood.” Installing a make-up air system for your range hood is essential to creating a safe and comfortable kitchen environment. Knowing the requirements, identifying all necessary components, and planning installation steps can help save a lot of time.

Once all components have been installed and connected, test the system for proper functioning before making any final adjustments or fine-tuning as needed. Following these simple steps, you should have no trouble correctly installing your make-up air system.