If you’re thinking about installing your own range hood, then chances are you’ve got a whole bunch of different questions, like, how in the heck do I install one of these things?
If that’s the case, then thankfully you’ve come to the right place.
Below, we’ve compiled a handy guide that provides you with information, as well as straightforward instructions regarding the installation of a range hood.
If this is something that you’ve never done before, we urge you not to fret. Although it can be tricky in parts, overall, it’s not an overly complicated task.
When installing a range hood, the vent hood must be installed above the surface of the cooking area at around 30 inches.
This is applicable if you’re planning on installing a gas cooker. If, on the other hand, you’re planning to install an electric cooker, then you should seek to leave approximately 24 to 30 inches.
Step By Step Guide For Hardwiring Your Range Hood
Now that we’ve covered where the range hood itself should be installed, we can move on to discuss our handy step by step guide, that guides you through the process of hardwiring your range hood.
Make sure to take your time, and try to enjoy the DIY process.
The steps themselves are pretty easy, and if followed correctly, you should be done within a matter of a few hours. Refer back to this handy guide if you find yourself stuck and needing help along the way.
Step 1
To get started with hardwiring your range hood, the first thing you’re going to need to do is to identify your breaker.
Your breaker box, as you’ll already know, will likely be located either in your basement or utility room.
Take a closer look at your breaker, as each section will be labeled, telling you which source in the house it’s responsible for powering.
Sometimes, however, these aren’t labeled properly and you need to do some detective work yourself.
Simply go through each of the different switches, and check which appliances are working and not working after you’ve turned them off.
Step 2
After you’ve identified your breaker, the next step is to simply turn it off.
You don’t want any unruly electrical shocks when you’re conducting this job, so make everything safe and prepared for you to get started with the wiring.
In addition to this, failing to switch off your breaker could potentially cause a serious house fire, so make sure you take care.
Step 3
For the next step, you’re going to actually be grabbing a pair of wire cutters, and cutting into the plug associated with the range hood.
You need to do this in order to view the wires contained inside, as these are the ones you’re going to be working on.
This shouldn’t be too difficult to do, as standard wire cutters are quite strong, and should easily get through the rubber outer layer associated with the externals of the plug.
We know that you’re already proceeding with caution, but we just want to double check once again that the breaker is off, so that you don’t cause yourself any harm with the exposed wires.
Step 4
If you’re satisfied that it’s safe to proceed, you can then go ahead and start checking the colors of the wires.
Each of the wires that you see there should match up, and if they’re loose in any way, your range hood will fail to work properly.
In order to make sure that everything is arranged correctly, you should start twisting the wires together. This is a very important step as it is what allows the current to move through the appliance.
Step 5
Your next step is to attach some wire caps. You can purchase these at your local hardware store, and they’re an important safety precaution that you shouldn’t avoid.
Make sure that they’re fixed safely on top of the wires.
Step 6
After you’ve attached the wire caps, and you’re satisfied with the job, you can then move on to turn the breaker back on.
By turning on the breaker, you’ll be able to check now to see whether or not it’s working properly, or if it needs further investigation.
Switch the breaker back off if you want to make any more adjustments.
If it’s still not working after several different attempts on your part, we’d recommend that you consult a professional electrician, who will be able to diagnose the problem for you.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, if you’re working with a gas cooker, then you should be looking to secure your electrical wires approximately 30 inches above the surface of the appliance.
If you’re securing a range above an eclectic cooker, then you should consider installing the wires somewhere between 24 and 30 inches above the surface.
When hardwiring your own range hood, you should always take care to make sure that the breaker is switched off.
As well as this, make sure that you purchase some wire caps to the surface of the wires for your own safety.
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