We just purchased a 4 yr old home with Hardiplank on the exterior walls. It currently has a "vent" over the stove, which only blows the smoke around, and is not vented to the outside. Can this be properly vented through the exterior wall, or must it be vented through the roof, and, what kind of licensed contractor should I get estimates from?
Jack Sandweiss
I can't see your walls so I can't say for sure. Most vents can be cut through a wall. Siding, stone, brick, anything can be cut. You want to be sure there is nothing in the wall that would cause a problem, like heating ducts, wiring, plumbing.
Some hoods are made to vent to the outdoors, others just to filter. Be sure you can convert yours or you will have to buy a new one.
This hood is made to filter, but I would think an outside vent would be better, and not have to have filter changes. Am I wrong? I had thought that I might have to buy a new one, but when this community was built, the buyers had a choice of vents/filter, which "may" indicate it's convertible. But, who should I contact, a "ventilation" person or a "stove" person?
Thank you for the speedy reply.
Jack
Edw>
Its ductwork, get a "ventilation" specialist. Depending on how old the vent hood is, there may or may not be additional hardware needed to redirect the air flow "up and out" instead of "forward through the filter." For sure, you will need a barometric damper to close the vent stack when its not on. If you are lucky, the pieces didn't get tossed into the installer's stash box.
Good information. Thanks you Grandpa. I am also one.
Jack
Grandpa Koca wrote:
Jack, Find the brand and model number of the hood / vent. Take that to the appropriate appliance dealer. Ask if it can be made to vent outside.
Check outside that the vent will not interfere with neighbors.
A carpenter or general contractor can do the work you want. That includes running a vent pipe through the wall and making electrical connections. The regulations may say you need a specialist. In practice, a competent & experienced carpenter can usually do that.
Ask around for suggestions. Ask for and check references of anyone you consider using. Ask for license and insurance and make sure they are good. Don't hesitate to turn away someone with whom you don't feel comfortable.
In my area, the building trades are very busy and it is hard to find anyone competent. Be prepared to wait. The pain and suffering caused by an unreliable or incompetent builder cannot be described.
Tom Baker AIA
Excellent advice. Allow me to add, grease fires are known problems in stove vents, mostly in commercial installations. As a result, some building codes may be restrictive in that regard. Be sure to do all your homework on the project and you will have good safe installation. HTH
Joe
You will probably do best with a home handyman rather than a company that installs duct work. It is a matter of some cutting and fitting stock vents. Perhaps the appliance store that sells the vents can point you in the right direction locally.
Thanks Edwin--
This group has been helpful to me for many years.
Jack
Edw>
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