How much does it cost to install a range hood?

A kitchen range hood, also called an exhaust hood, is designed to keep the air in your kitchen clean. It pulls grease, smoke, and particles generated when you cook out of the range area. The hood is installed directly above your range, extending 3 inches past the range on either side. Many different styles of range hood are available, from commercial-grade to the unobtrusive. The average homeowner typically spends around $750 for installing a new ductless, under-cabinet hood or a replacement vented hood.

Types of range hoods

Hoods come in many styles. They vary in installation, location, and how they direct the exhaust. The type of hood you consider impacts the final cost of your project in terms of cost and installation type:

Exhaust style

The appearance and location of the hood is just one factor to consider when purchasing a hood. The way the exhaust is handled and how it is transported also play a role in the type of hood you purchase and its installation cost:

CFM rating

Every range hood will have a CFM rating, which refers to the number of cubic feet of air it moves per minute. This is sized to your kitchen, meaning larger spaces require a higher CFM than smaller ones.

To determine your CFM of your room, measure the height, length, and width of the kitchen to determine its total cubic area. For example, a 10x10-foot room with 8-foot ceilings has a cubic area of 800. Multiply this number by 8 - the number of times the air needs to exchange per hour, and divide by 60 - the number of minutes in an hour. In this scenario, it is 107 CFM.

Next, determine the British Thermal Units (BTUs) of your range, which may be displayed somewhere near the burner. This is largely determined by the type of stove and number of burners. For example, a 4-burner electric range has 12,000 BTUs. Divide this number by 100, and add the result to your cubic feet. In this example, we have 120 + 107 for a total CFM rating of 227. This is the minimum CFM rating your hood requires for a kitchen this size with a 4-burner electric range.

If the same kitchen were to use a gas range, the calculation would be slightly higher because a 4-burner gas range would have approximately 28,000 BTUs. The range hood needs a minimum of a total CFM rating of 387 (280 + 107).

Materials

The majority of hoods are made of metal, such as copper and bronze. Stainless steel is the most common, however. Many people choose to hide or decorate their hood with either a wooden hood cover or tiling the cover over the hood.

Finishes

Like any appliance in the kitchen, your hood is available in various finishes, such as:

• Bisque (off white
• Black
• Bronze
• Copper
• Oil-rubbed bronze
• Stainless steel
• White

It is most common to match your hood to the other appliances in the room, which is one reason stainless steel is so popular. Otherwise, you can opt for a hood cover, which will disguise the hood and blend in with cabinetry or the backsplash ².

Installation

Installation of the hood depends on several factors like the type of hood, location, and exhaust style. The type impacts installation regarding where it is mounted, while the location influences what areas may be affected by things such as electrical wiring and the ducts when using a vented hood.

Finally, if installing a vented hood, ducts must be run from the hood to outside. In most cases, this involves cutting straight through the masonry, but in other cases, it may involve running the ducts through various parts of the home. The longer the duct must run, the more involved the installation. Ductless hoods are easier to install because no holes need to be cut in the walls. The hood is simply secured and wired.

Depending on these factors, the installation time ranges from 1 to 4 hours.

Labor costs

Labor costs for the hood installation vary depending on the type of exhaust system, whether or not there are existing ducts, and if existing outlet/electrical wiring is already in place. For a replacement hood, labor costs generally run around $300 on average. This is also approximately the cost to install a ductless hood with new wiring.

If new ducts are required, then installation costs will rise. At this point, the length of duct drives the total costs with longer runs costing more to install. Expect to pay about $500 in labor fees for the installation of a vented hood if new ductwork is required.

Maintenance

Most hoods are fairly easy to maintain. In the event of a ducted hood, you may want to have it professionally cleaned every few years to ensure there is no build-up of grease and particles inside. This has a cost of around $150.

For ductless hoods, you need to replace the charcoal filter on a regular basis. This is determined by the brand, type of filter, and how often you use your cooktop.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Lighting

Most hoods today include the option of a built-in light, illuminating your range better. This is an increasingly common feature that does not impact the cost of most hoods because it is now becoming standard.

Additional considerations and costs

• If you do not have existing ducts in your kitchen, your choices are to use a ductless hood or pay additional fees to have ducts installed.
• Exhaust fans can be noisy, which may be difficult for some people to tolerate. Some hoods boast sound absorption as one of their features, so they may be quieter to run.
• If you relocate your range hood, factor in the costs of patching up or repairing the wall or cabinets where the old hood was installed.
• The finish of some range hoods may be damaged by some grease cleaners. Always use a cleanser recommended by the manufacturer to avoid this issue.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Island: A kitchen counter that is not attached to walls or other surfaces, and that can be accessed from all sides

² Backsplash: The upright surface, often made of tile, behind a kitchen counter, sink, or stove, that protects the wall from damage from splatter due to kitchen activities