It is difficult to do without a properly selected and correctly mounted hood located above a gas stove or oven. The lack of it is especially felt by the housewives, who are used to constantly cooking greasy fried and baked dishes, using modern cooking surfaces and powerful grills. Using a modern exhaust device, it is possible to remove extraneous odors and particles and reliably protect furniture, curtains and other valuable objects from contamination with fatty residues. To achieve the desired result, it is important to follow the instructions regarding the installation height of the hood above the source of harmful fumes.
Classification of hoods according to the principle of operation
Known models of exhaust structures according to the principle of their action are divided into the following types:
- circulation hoods equipped with special filtering elements;
- exhaust hoods connected to the duct (to the ventilation system operating in the kitchen).
In the models of the first type, the air is cleaned by means of the built-in carbon filter and after updating it returns to the kitchen again. Such units are suitable only for small spaces, within which the installation of the duct is difficult, and the distance from the gas stove to the hood is small.
The second option is more efficient cleaning, since the fumes in this case are completely brought out through separate channels. Such samples of hoods can be installed in large rooms.
Types of exhaust devices
According to the design features and purpose of the product can have the following versions:
- with a flat surface;
- domed or inclined;
- tabletop;
- built-in kitchen cabinet, for example.
Models with a horizontal flat surface belong to the most common type of devices and stand out among other samples for their compact size. Usually they work autonomously because they have built-in replaceable filters. With the operation of such hoods, the heated air is cleaned of fatty fumes in the filter element of the device, after which it again enters the kitchen.
Dome products are also in high demand among consumers. In them, polluted air is discharged through the existing duct in the kitchen directly to the street. However, in this series there are also models equipped with built-in filters. Samples of products with an inclined plane are classified as typical types of dome devices. The height of the hoods above the hob for this option will be slightly less, which is explained by the features of the design itself. For their manufacture, heat-resistant glass is used, which, in addition to its main purpose, performs a decorative function.
Inclined hoods are very convenient to use, since their location does not interfere with the hostess of any growth. Some models provide the ability to adjust the middle part.
The devices built into the closet are good because they allow you to hide not very aesthetically pleasing looking ducts. Tabletop samples are mounted directly in the equipment itself (in the hob, for example).
Installation Location Requirements
Each product is accompanied by instructions for use in everyday life, which must indicate where it can be placed and at what distances from the nearest objects it should be hung. In general, the installation height of the hood under specific conditions is specified. According to the instructions of this document, it is necessary to hang hoods over gas stoves at a certain level depending on the type of heating device. When choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that this may be a product that can be built into a wall cabinet or located directly below it. It is important that its size coincides with the dimensions of the source of pollution (hob, for example) and that it hangs exactly above it.
The removal from the stove to the body of any hood is determined by a single standard. When a typical electric stove is used in the kitchen, in the general case the exhaust structure is located not higher and not lower than 65-75 cm from it. If the hood is hung directly above the gas stove, the distance between them will need to be increased to 75-85 cm. In a situation where the hood is mounted with an inclined surface, the installation parameters change only to the smaller side. In this case, placement restrictions look like this:
- the distance from the stoves to the hoods is reduced to 55-65 cm (meaning gas appliances);
- the hood height above the electric stove is reduced to 35-45 cm.
When choosing the exact value of this indicator, the growth of the hostess of the kitchen and the general interior of the premises served are also taken into account.
Factors Affecting Location Selection
When choosing and subsequent installation of the exhaust air cleaner, the following factors must be taken into account that directly affect the installation location:
- type of heat source served (electric stove or hob);
- declared by the manufacturer power of the exhaust device;
- Features of the interior of a specific kitchen.
It is also important to adhere to the requirements and norms regarding installation within the kitchen space, which are usually given in the technical data sheet of the device. Compliance with the installation rules and the subsequent operation of the ventilation device guarantees the most efficient air purification from vapors, odors and sedimentation of fat particles in the kitchen.
Before purchasing a specific model directly in the store, you should consult with specialists on the issue of its power. For kitchens of a large area, a device with a high indicator is suitable. In a small kitchen, it makes no sense to install a very powerful unit.
Installation Rules
The efficiency of the purchased device depends on the following installation rules:
- The minimum dimensions of the purchased ventilation device are selected in such a way as to completely cover the working area of the gas stove or hob. In this case, the entire mass of contaminated hot air during operation will be completely absorbed by the hood and taken out (filtered and fed back to the kitchen).
- The scatter of the standard sizes of household hoods should not go beyond the range of 60-90 cm.
The exact value of the distance of the exhaust device to the stove depends on the type of heating unit installed in the kitchen and must comply with fire safety requirements. If necessary, information on this parameter can be found in the technical data sheet attached to the purchased device.
Installation of exhaust hoods and arrangement of air ducts
It is best to entrust the laying of the exhaust pipes of exhaust-type devices to professionals who specialize in arranging ventilation ducts.Users who are fully confident in their abilities can try to hang the device and bring an air outlet to it on their own. To do this, you will have to perform a number of operations in the indicated sequence:
- The height at which the structure will hang is measured, at this level several marks are made for the fasteners.
- Holes are drilled in the wall for fasteners.
- The device is mounted in a marked place or on a wall cabinet using special hooks included in the kit, or with self-tapping screws.
When installing hoods that work in conjunction with plastic or tin ducts, the latter are connected to the umbrella body according to the instructions. In addition to choosing a place and holding the required distance from the hob to the SNiP hood, they are required to comply with the rules for laying ducts for units of the second type. In accordance with the main provisions of the standards, they look like this:
- The duct should not have too many bends, as this can significantly complicate the discharge of exhaust air. Short and straight pipe sections with few bends are preferred.
- The duct route should be changed so that the resulting radius is as maximum as possible.
- The diameter of the outlet pipe is selected in accordance with the size of the hole already available in the design of the hood. You should not specifically narrow it and install additional connecting elements between them (build up the duct).
Violation of the latter requirement will lead to inhibition of the free air flow and a significant increase in the load on the electric motor of the exhaust device. All together, this will lead to increased noise of the system, which violates the comfortable living conditions in the kitchen. To equip a complex network of ducts, pipes made on the basis of thick foil are usually used. From above, they are closed with PVC boxes or drywall blanks, which will give the design an aesthetic appearance and not disturb the interior of the kitchen.
After installing the ventilation equipment, it will be necessary to carry out a control check of its operability. Particular attention is paid to monitoring the tightness of exhaust connections with exhaust pipes and the noise level of the system. If loud whistling sounds are heard during operation, you need to carefully check the pairing points and, if necessary, additionally seal them.
Mains connection
When installing the hood, you should determine the procedure for connecting the device to a household electrical network. For this type of equipment, it is advisable to conduct a separate supply line protected by a circuit breaker with a rating of at least 25 Amps. It is especially important to choose the right location for the power outlet. According to current regulations, the electrical outlet for connecting the fume hood must be at a distance of about 2-2.5 m from the kitchen floor. That is, it is usually located above the wall cabinets by about 10-20 cm.
In the horizontal plane, the power outlet is located a little to the side of the hood and air duct, approximately 15-20 cm away from them. According to the requirements of the current standards for electrics (PUE, in particular), electrical installation products for hoods must have a special grounding terminal. Such prudence will reliably protect the user of ventilation equipment from electric shock.
Operation tips
In the process of using the hood, it is important to monitor its cleanliness and good technical condition. According to the instruction manual, you must:
- wipe the exhaust device from dust and grease at the end of each working day;
- monitor the condition of the exhaust ducts and check the existing joints for leaks;
- with a certain periodicity (at least 2 times a year) replace the filter elements installed in the device.
If a significant amount of dirt has accumulated on the device’s case, you will have to use a soft sponge or a cloth with detergent applied to them to remove it. It is not necessary to water them abundantly, and also to use chemical preparations containing abrasive particles hazardous to the body. If you violate this rule, you can scratch it and ruin the appearance of the device.
During cleaning, it is recommended to completely de-energize the power line of the household air purifier. To do this, you can simply remove the plug from the outlet or turn off the circuit breaker responsible for the operation of this branch of the mains. The outlet itself should be regularly checked for overheating of the housing and the supply wires. If significant heating is detected, contact an electrician with a request to take appropriate measures.
After completing work in the kitchen, it is recommended that you disconnect the hood from the outlet not immediately. It is better to let her work for some more time until the remnants of the vapor particles with fat and other fumes are removed.
