(wall-mounted ductless hood with existing outlet)
(concealed cabinet hood with a custom cover and new ducts)
Cost to install a range hood varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from kitchen designers in your city.
The average cost of installing a range hood is around $750.
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.
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:
Type of hood | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Under cabinet | Attaches to the underside of your upper cabinets above the range | $200 - $500 |
Wall mount | Attaches directly to the wall above the range | $200 - $500 |
Island 1 hood | Comes straight down from the ceiling Installed above island 1 ranges | $300 - $900 |
Cabinet insert | Hidden from view Built into the cabinetry May have a custom appearance | $400 - $1,000 |
Down draft | Insert in the range that moves upward to pull out exhaust Invisible when not in use | $1,000 + |
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:
Exhaust style | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Ductless | Uses a charcoal filter to trap irritants Recycles air back into the kitchen Does not require ducts Easier to install Requires filter changes | $100 - $300 |
Vented/ducted | Uses ducts to carry the exhaust out of your home May go straight out through the wall or vent upward through an attic Best way to clean the air in the kitchen | $100 - $1,000 |
Convertible | May be installed with or without ducts Allows options for both installation types | $200 - $1,000 |
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).
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.
Like any appliance in the kitchen, your hood is available in various finishes, such as:
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 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 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.
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.
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.
In most areas, having some exhaust system is required by code. However, you can choose to use a microwave with an exhaust system instead of a hood.
In general, the hood should be located 24 inches above the cooktop, but some gas ranges may require as much as 30 inches.
No, ductless and convertible hoods use filters to clean the air instead.
Yes, the hood must be 6-inches wider than the cooktop, 3 inches on either side.
Cost to install a range hood varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.