Q: Do I need to hardwire or plug in the hood?
All wall mount range hoods today come with a wire with a plug, you will need to provide a power outlet behind the chimney cover, see the above diagram.
Q: Is the hood width the actual measurement that is advertised?
No. They are between an 1/8" & 1/4" smaller than listed so that they fit properly into an opening of that nominal size.
Q: What's the best way to attach the range hood to the wall and where to cut the 6" exhaust ( 7" or 8" for some hoods) and install the 120v plug?
Range hoods are very heavy and must be well-fastened to the wall studs. Do not hang a range hood on the drywall or plaster alone. Use the stud locator to find the studs and make marks for the screws. Use the drill bit (smaller than the screw shaft) and pre-drill screw holes. Don't use a drill bit that is too large; this could cause the range hood to pull away from the wall and cause injury. Use 2x4 wood across the studs for your range hood support, click on the diagram below for more info:
Q: Do I have everything in the box to install the range hood?
In most cases, YES. Please check the your ceiling height first, and check the website. We always say what should be your ceiling height in order the covers ( for wall type hoods) and frame inside (for all island type hoods) to fit . Most range hoods come with decoration covers for up to 9' ceilings. Extensions for higher ceilings are available for additional cost.
You will need to provide electrical plug, 6,7 or 8" rigid duct running to outside and cap with or without damper( if your hood vents outside). The flexible duct provided in the box for some units is not the main duct. You should use the aluminum flexible duct to make the final connection between the range hood and your rigid duct exhausting outside only.
Q: Which is better, ducted or non-ducted?
Range hoods should be ducted to the outside of the home. While non-ducted filters trap some of the grease and odors from normal cooking, the humidity, smoke and heat will all be re-circulated back into the home. If the non-ducted filters are not regularly replaced, eventually the grease and odor catching effect will no longer protect your home from impurities.
Q: Internal vs External Blowers?
Internal range hood blowers are integral to the range hood itself - they are not in the duct run or on the outside of the building as are external range hood blowers(remote range hood blowers can be either inline of the duct run or external to the building). Typically externally mounted exhaust hood blowers are the most silent and efficient - it is a lot easier to pull the air than push it - it is also a lot easier to work on an external blower than an inline blower in the ceiling or soffit for example. The other critical component is ducting - if your ducting has restrictions in it due to many bends or crimping of the pipe the blower will have to work harder and will be noisy. Internal blowers are less expensive than external systems however they are noisier because the motor is right inside the hood.
Q: How far can I run my ductwork to exhaust my hood?
For maximum performance keep the duct straight and short. Use the shortest route with the fewest turns possible. 45° turns are better than 90° turns. Be sure to use an external roof or wall cap. If in doubt, consult a qualified designer/installer knowledgeable in ventilation or contact us.
Q: Can I run the ductwork downward?
No portion of the ducting should be run so that the exhaust air flows downward. Since exhaust heat rises, forcing the air to flow downward will cause increased static pressure. Improperly installed duct pipe will cause excessive static pressure (air resistance), that may result in rattling, vibration and air buffeting noises, as well as inadequate ventilation.
Q:What height do you need?
Determining the proper height for your vent hood can be simple as long as you know the height of your ceiling. Let say for example that your ceilings are 9ft high, that’s 108 inches. You would then take the total 108 inches and deduct 36 inches for the height of your range leaving you 72 inches. Then you will need to determine how high you would like your range hood off of your cooktop. We recommend hanging height to be 24-30” above the cooking surface with a maximum installed height of 36” above the cooking surface. We recommend hanging your vent hood 24-30 inches above the cooking surface for optimal performance, so let’s just say that you have decided to hang it 30 inches above the cooking surface. You have 72 inches remaining, so deduct the 30 inches for the distance between your cooking surface and the bottom of your range hood and you now have a total hood height of 42 inches.
Q:What width do you need?
The ideal width of your vent hood should be six inches wider than your cooking surface, therefore overhanging by three inches on either side. Having the range hood wider than the range allows for additional capture area, providing more efficient ventilation. Where space is restricted, the hood should be no less than the width of the cooking surface. Island units are a bit less forgiving than wall mounted units, requiring the additional 6 inches of capture area due to drafts within the room. Abiding by these recommendations will ensure optimal performance from your vent hood.
Q:What depth hood do you need to get?
The depth of your range hood should ideally cover the cooking surface of your range from front to back. Our regular hoods are usually 20", standard PROFESSIONAL wall vent models range from 24 to 27 inches deep depending on cooking surface requirements, while our island models are a standard 27 inches depth.
Q:What style range hood do you want?
Choosing the right range hood can be like selecting the right outfit, it’s a matter of personal preference and style. Your kitchen ventilation hood will likely be one of the focal points in your kitchen, making it one of the important design elements. When deciding on a design, take several things into consideration including whether the rest of your home is traditional, contemporary or even rustic. Best shape for the hoods performance is the pyramid shape hood, as it helps with the suction. Models such as Tofino, Vega, PS29, Victory Twister MAX..etc are the most efficient.
Q: Can I exhaust my hood into my attic instead of out the roof or wall?
No. You should never exhaust air into spaces within walls, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or garages. The humidity and grease collect in the space and present a huge fire danger. This is especially important to why we strongly recommend you to have a professional installer do this type of installation.
Q: How high of a CFM is your highest setting? What about the other speeds?
At the first and lowest setting, the output is about 200 CFM. CFM gradually increases to the highest setting up to 750 CFM.
Q: How much CFM do I need for my Range or Cook Top?
For conventional electric and gas ranges or cook tops, we offer a complete line of hoods that can fit your cooking needs with features you desire. For high output gas ranges or cook tops, the minimum rate of 1 CFM of ventilation per 100 BTU is recommended.
Q: And the best filter is?
Baffle filters are always the best to use and are a must on the higher cfm blower systems. Mesh filters are generally okay on the lower cfm applications or over electric including induction. Baffles filters are quieter than mesh filters and also have the added advantage at being better for fire containment. All range hood filters must be washed on a regular basis - the more the better - washing won't damage them.
Q: How high should I mount my hood above my stove?
Most common installations require a range of 24"-32" between the bottom of the hood and the top of the cook top. This will provide the best capture area for cooking impurities. For high capacity blowers, the distance from the cooking surface to the bottom of the hood should be min 24" for electric (induction) cook tops, and min. - 30" for gas cook tops unless otherwise noted for a specific hood or range. The mounted height of the hood base above the cooking surface should not exceed 31" for both wall-mount and island-mount units. Recommended minimum for Victory 198 and 218 series is 28" above the cooking surface. The hood should be centered over the cooking surface. This will provide the best capture area for cooking impurities. Consult your local building codes and standards for more information.
Q: What does the CFM ratings mean?
CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It is a unit of measurement used to describe the volume of air 'sucked' in by the range hood in one minute. The higher the CFM number, the greater the amount of air that is exhausted by the range hood. The recommended minimum hood capacity is 150 CFM to 160 CFM. For high output gas ranges or cook tops, the rate of 1 CFM of ventilation per 100 BTU is recommended. A separate ventilation system may be required for high performance range hoods; please consult your local building codes and standards for more details.
Q: What size duct opening I need to connect the range hood?
Most of our hoods require 6” , 7" or 8" opening to outside. If you don’t have access to outside you have to use our Ductless Re-circulation kit
Q: May I reduce the duct size ?
We do not recommend reducing the duct size because it reduces the CFM and increases noise and vibrations .
Q: May I remove the hood controls and mount them remote from the hood?
Altering the product voids manufacturer's warranty and certification.
Q: Please give me more info on Charcoal filters (filtration version only)
This filter is neither washable nor renewable. It is used to catch unpleasant smells that develop when cooking. It should be mounted on the safety grille of the motor and replaced every 4 months. When uninstalling, turn the filter counterclockwise until it snaps out of its position. The carbon filter is not supplied. It has to be ordered separately.
Q: Some building inspectors require "Makeup air" for hoods over 500CFM. What is "Makeup air"?
When a range hood operates, it draws air from inside the house to the outside and creates or contributes to a slight vacuum in the house. The resulting negative pressure can be serious. If the negative pressure is strong enough, it can cause the furnace and other fuel-burning appliances to back-draft dangerous gases such as CO into the home. All exhaust fans, including clothes dryers, must have an adequate supply of air. The air needed for this purpose is called makeup air .
Although make up systems are not mandatory in all regions some regions have created legislation to ensure make up air systems are installed and it is important for homeowners to consult with local building codes. The installation of a ducted range hood allows air to be changed efficiently which improves the quality of the environment in which you live. Even if a make up air system is not required or mandatory in a specific application, simply opening a window to the exterior can effectively assist in this process. This is something to consider in many of today air tight homes. Please check with your building inspector whether or not you need a makeup air unit. Please check the video below