I've been living with a non-vented range hood (just pulls air through
a grease filter and exhausts it overhead back into the kitchen) for a
while now because it never occured to me that it might be inexpensive
to install an externally vented hood. This is a 26 year old house,
and the kitchen does not seem to have been remodeled ever. The range
looks original -- a basic low-end GE electric, in basic cream/bisque
color. The range hood matches and is mounted under cabinets (also
apparently original -- ugly dark woodgrain veneer over particle
board).

It occured to me just today, walking through a hardware store on other
business, that the oven is against an exterior wall, and so punching a
hole for an external exhaust should actually be pretty
straightforward. (The exterior is aluminum siding.) I see that basic
vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range. I have
little interest in making any improvements to this house that would
not generate 100% return when I sell it, which will be soon. This is
a small low-end townhome where a high-end kitchen is not likely to be
appreciated by most potential buyers.

So, I think a complete oven upgrade is out of the question, so we're
talking about a new hood over an old oven, under old, ugly cabinets.
Aesthetically questionable, I suppose. I could try to match the color
at least.

The question (finally getting there) is whether or not there are
noteworthy differences in range hoods in the <$100 price range, or
should I just get the cheapest thing that matches the oven color?
Installation is likely to be the bulk of the cost, so does it make
sense to maybe consider something in the $100-$200 range instead, as
long as I'm dropping the cash on installation? Then again, I could
invite some handy friends over for an "early" dinner and then tell
them they have to help me install it before I can cook dinner...
Any idea how much I should expect to pay for installation on something
like this (considering that an exhaust opening will have to be cut)?

TIA from a clueless first-time homeowner...

--
Randall

"Randall Nortman" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> I've been living with a non-vented range hood (just pulls air through
> a grease filter and exhausts it overhead back into the kitchen) for a
> while now because it never occured to me that it might be inexpensive
> to install an externally vented hood. This is a 26 year old house,
> and the kitchen does not seem to have been remodeled ever. The range
> looks original -- a basic low-end GE electric, in basic cream/bisque
> color. The range hood matches and is mounted under cabinets (also
> apparently original -- ugly dark woodgrain veneer over particle
> board).
>
> It occured to me just today, walking through a hardware store on other
> business, that the oven is against an exterior wall, and so punching a
> hole for an external exhaust should actually be pretty
> straightforward. (The exterior is aluminum siding.) I see that basic
> vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range. I have
> little interest in making any improvements to this house that would
> not generate 100% return when I sell it, which will be soon. This is
> a small low-end townhome where a high-end kitchen is not likely to be
> appreciated by most potential buyers.
>
> So, I think a complete oven upgrade is out of the question, so we're
> talking about a new hood over an old oven, under old, ugly cabinets.
> Aesthetically questionable, I suppose. I could try to match the color
> at least.
>
> The question (finally getting there) is whether or not there are
> noteworthy differences in range hoods in the <$100 price range, or
> should I just get the cheapest thing that matches the oven color?
> Installation is likely to be the bulk of the cost, so does it make
> sense to maybe consider something in the $100-$200 range instead, as
> long as I'm dropping the cash on installation? Then again, I could
> invite some handy friends over for an "early" dinner and then tell
> them they have to help me install it before I can cook dinner...
> Any idea how much I should expect to pay for installation on something
> like this (considering that an exhaust opening will have to be cut)?
>
> TIA from a clueless first-time homeowner...

While I think that venting the hood to the outside is good, I wouldn't
bother under the circumstances. Very few people are going to check to see
if the hood is vented when they tour your home. Therefore, the chance is
good that you won't see any return on your money. If you want to replace
the hood to improve the quality of your life, then it might be worth it. It
isn't the cost that is important, but how many CFM's of air that the hood
moves. I would look for something between 600- 900 for a low-end range. If
you can get one that does that for under $100, then buy it since you aren't
going to live with it very long. Don't buy one and expect to see any
financial benefit when you sell. There will be two types of buyers for your
home. The first will be people who don't really care and will see your
kitchen as adequate as it is. The second type will look at your kitchen and
see a tear-down. The first thing people change when the buy a house is the
kitchen, even if it has granite counters and custom cabinets.

On 2006-01-18, Vox Humana > wrote:
>
> "Randall Nortman" > wrote in message
> ink.net...
[...]
>> vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range. I have
>> little interest in making any improvements to this house that would
>> not generate 100% return when I sell it, which will be soon. This is
>> a small low-end townhome where a high-end kitchen is not likely to be
>> appreciated by most potential buyers.
>>
>> So, I think a complete oven upgrade is out of the question, so we're
>> talking about a new hood over an old oven, under old, ugly cabinets.
>> Aesthetically questionable, I suppose. I could try to match the color
>> at least.
[...]
> While I think that venting the hood to the outside is good, I wouldn't
> bother under the circumstances. Very few people are going to check to see
> if the hood is vented when they tour your home. Therefore, the chance is
> good that you won't see any return on your money. If you want to replace
> the hood to improve the quality of your life, then it might be worth it.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear -- I am very willing to make small
investments which improve the quality of my life in the short time I
intend to continue to own this home (1-3 years, probably) enough to
justify the investment. I am not willing (or able) to make big
investments, like a complete kitchen renovation or a new range (unless
the range fails, in which case I will replace it with a comparable
unit, which would be pretty cheap).

> It isn't the cost that is important, but how many CFM's of air that
> the hood moves. I would look for something between 600- 900 for a
> low-end range. If you can get one that does that for under $100,
> then buy it since you aren't going to live with it very long.
[...]

Sounds like good advice. I'll take it.

--
Randall

Randall Nortman wrote:
> I've been living with a non-vented range hood (just pulls air through
> a grease filter and exhausts it overhead back into the kitchen) for a
> while now because it never occured to me that it might be inexpensive
> to install an externally vented hood. This is a 26 year old house,
> and the kitchen does not seem to have been remodeled ever. The range
> looks original -- a basic low-end GE electric, in basic cream/bisque
> color. The range hood matches and is mounted under cabinets (also
> apparently original -- ugly dark woodgrain veneer over particle
> board).
>
> It occured to me just today, walking through a hardware store on other
> business, that the oven is against an exterior wall, and so punching a
> hole for an external exhaust should actually be pretty
> straightforward. (The exterior is aluminum siding.) I see that basic
> vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range. I have
> little interest in making any improvements to this house that would
> not generate 100% return when I sell it, which will be soon. This is
> a small low-end townhome where a high-end kitchen is not likely to be
> appreciated by most potential buyers.
>
> So, I think a complete oven upgrade is out of the question, so we're
> talking about a new hood over an old oven, under old, ugly cabinets.
> Aesthetically questionable, I suppose. I could try to match the color
> at least.
>
> The question (finally getting there) is whether or not there are
> noteworthy differences in range hoods in the <$100 price range, or
> should I just get the cheapest thing that matches the oven color?
> Installation is likely to be the bulk of the cost, so does it make
> sense to maybe consider something in the $100-$200 range instead, as
> long as I'm dropping the cash on installation? Then again, I could
> invite some handy friends over for an "early" dinner and then tell
> them they have to help me install it before I can cook dinner...
> Any idea how much I should expect to pay for installation on something
> like this (considering that an exhaust opening will have to be cut)?
>
> TIA from a clueless first-time homeowner...
>

I am considering having a new home built and the builder offers the
option of having the range hood vented to the outside. They are
charging approximately $400 (the exterior wall is brick). However the
CFM of the standalone hood is low, (170 - 220 CFM). I am not sure if it
is worth spending $400 to get it vented to the outside, if it is only
moving 200 CFM. (Anybody, please offer opinions)

It is a Whirlpool and here is the link:
http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/pro...cat=86&prod=82

Whirlpool has a better hood with around 300 CFM, but the builder does
not offer it.

The hoods that are built into the microwaves seem to be an afterthought
and they do not list the CFM of the hoods.

Kitchen Aid has some better hoods with 600 CFM, but they are in the
range of $670 - >>$1500 (list price).

Randall Nortman wrote:
> It occured to me just today, walking through a hardware store on other
> business, that the oven is against an exterior wall, and so punching a
> hole for an external exhaust should actually be pretty
> straightforward. (The exterior is aluminum siding.) I see that basic
> vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range...

That is pretty inexpensive. However almost anything is better than what
you have now. Just getting a lot of the heat out of the kitchen should be
well worth it for your own personal comfort - especially in the summer time.

Also make sure it has at least as much lighting as your current unit.

> This is
> a small low-end townhome where a high-end kitchen is not likely to be
> appreciated by most potential buyers.

Since it is a townhouse, and you would be changing an exerior wall, you
should consult the CC&Rs, and ultimately the homeowners association,
before doing anything. There may be construction requirements that you
are unaware of. And the HOA will likely want to approve it. (Be nice
to them. And if they start to raise a fuss, maintain that it is a health
and safety issue.)

You have a good idea. Keep on it.

Walt

Walter Spector wrote:

> Randall Nortman wrote:
>
>>It occured to me just today, walking through a hardware store on other
>>business, that the oven is against an exterior wall, and so punching a
>>hole for an external exhaust should actually be pretty
>>straightforward. (The exterior is aluminum siding.) I see that basic
>>vented under-cabinet range hoods are in the $35-$70 range...
>
>
> That is pretty inexpensive. However almost anything is better than what
> you have now. Just getting a lot of the heat out of the kitchen should be
> well worth it for your own personal comfort - especially in the summer time.
>
> Also make sure it has at least as much lighting as your current unit.
>
>

When I was researching hoods I learned that the height of the hood is
extremely
important-its size from the lower lip to the top of the internal area.
The reason
is that you need some volume in there for the fumes to accumulate before
they
are vented out. A minimum height of 18 inches seemed to be the common
recommendation.

Peter

"Alton B. Wilson" > wrote in message
...
>
> I am considering having a new home built and the builder offers the option
> of having the range hood vented to the outside. They are charging
> approximately $400 (the exterior wall is brick). However the CFM of the
> standalone hood is low, (170 - 220 CFM). I am not sure if it is worth
> spending $400 to get it vented to the outside, if it is only moving 200
> CFM. (Anybody, please offer opinions)
>
> It is a Whirlpool and here is the link:
> http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/pro...cat=86&prod=82
>
> Whirlpool has a better hood with around 300 CFM, but the builder does not
> offer it.
>
> The hoods that are built into the microwaves seem to be an afterthought
> and they do not list the CFM of the hoods.
>
> Kitchen Aid has some better hoods with 600 CFM, but they are in the range
> of $670 - >>$1500 (list price).

With the exception of one unit that I know of, all of the microwave hood
move 300 CFM. The other one (who's name escapes me) moves 400 cfm's and
advertised that fact quite prominently. The issue with the microwave hoods
is that they don't cover the entire cooking surface. Therefore, smoke from
the front burners tends to bypass the vent. They are better than nothing,
but far from ideal. I have one and the only reason it works well is that I
also have a downdraft range. The downdraft pulls the smoke under the
microwave where it can be vented.

I would either have the inexpensive hood installed by the builder and change
it later, or buy the one you want and provide it to the builder for
installation. Off-the-shelf hoods are interchangeable, so switching it
later will be very easy. However, putting a hole in your brick wall will
not be easy, so I would let the builder do it now. Inertia is a
characteristic of human nature. If you don't have the vented hood installed
now, chances are good that it is something you just won't get around to
later.

"Alton B. Wilson" wrote:
> ...
> I am considering having a new home built and the builder offers the
> option of having the range hood vented to the outside. They are
> charging approximately $400 (the exterior wall is brick)...

I wouldn't think twice about it. Of course the hood should be vented to
the outside. Depending on where you plan to build, it may even be a code
requirement.

> However the
> CFM of the standalone hood is low, (170 - 220 CFM). I am not sure if it
> is worth spending $400 to get it vented to the outside, if it is only
> moving 200 CFM....
>
> Whirlpool has a better hood with around 300 CFM, but the builder does
> not offer it.

If the 'builder' is that inflexible, perhaps you should be looking for
a different builder? Any builder worth his salt should be able to install
anything you want him to. After all, you are the one paying him!

Walt

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:16:07 GMT, "Vox Humana" > wrote:

>...It isn't the cost that is important, but how many CFM's of air that the hood
>moves. I would look for something between 600- 900 for a low-end range. If
>you can get one that does that for under $100, then buy it since you aren't
>going to live with it very long.

Are you sure about those numbers? I just searched pretty exhaustively on the
Web, and didn't find much over 400cfm for any reasonable price. I ended up
buying and installing a stainless steel Broan Allure III (the high end of the
line carried by Home Depot, etc.). Its high speed moves 300cfm, and its "turbo
mode" moves 400cfm.

Also, the flip side to cfms -- and just as important to us -- is the noise
level. The Allure III is the quietest I found, at 0.4 sones at normal speed, 3.5
sones on high, and 4.0 sones on turbo.

The difference in air movement and sound level, compared to the overhead
microwave with external exhaust fan I remove, is astounding.

This level of performance costs almost $400, and we're very happy with it. I
would think a 600 cfm hood for <$100 would sound like a B-17 taking off nearby.
8

If you know of a 600 cfm unit with comparable sound figures, I'd love to know
about it. TIA.

Info link: http://store.yahoo.com/usappliance/qs3broanalse.html

-- Larry

"pltrgyst" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:16:07 GMT, "Vox Humana" >
> wrote:
>
>>...It isn't the cost that is important, but how many CFM's of air that the
>>hood
>>moves. I would look for something between 600- 900 for a low-end range.
>>If
>>you can get one that does that for under $100, then buy it since you
>>aren't
>>going to live with it very long.
>
> Are you sure about those numbers? I just searched pretty exhaustively on
> the
> Web, and didn't find much over 400cfm for any reasonable price. I ended up
> buying and installing a stainless steel Broan Allure III (the high end of
> the
> line carried by Home Depot, etc.). Its high speed moves 300cfm, and its
> "turbo
> mode" moves 400cfm.
>
> Also, the flip side to cfms -- and just as important to us -- is the noise
> level. The Allure III is the quietest I found, at 0.4 sones at normal
> speed, 3.5
> sones on high, and 4.0 sones on turbo.
>
> The difference in air movement and sound level, compared to the overhead
> microwave with external exhaust fan I remove, is astounding.
>
> This level of performance costs almost $400, and we're very happy with it.
> I
> would think a 600 cfm hood for <$100 would sound like a B-17 taking off
> nearby.
> 8
>
> If you know of a 600 cfm unit with comparable sound figures, I'd love to
> know
> about it. TIA.
>
> Info link: http://store.yahoo.com/usappliance/qs3broanalse.html
>

My point is that you probably need 600 - 900 CFM for normal cooking with a
low-end range. I don't know if you can get one for under $100 or if it is
any good. As I recall, that's what the OP wanted to spend. For a large
range with high BTU burners and a grill, you would need more than 600 CFM.
I'm sure you are right about what is available in the $100 price range and
what the sound level is. The 300 CFM fan in my microwave hood is very loud
while the 600 CFM fan in my downdraft range is really quiet. Sometimes I
can't tell if it running.

Vox Humana > wrote:
>The 300 CFM fan in my microwave hood is very loud while the 600
>CFM fan in my downdraft range is really quiet. Sometimes I can't
>tell if it running.

I'm pretty sure our downdraft has dual fans -- one inside the unit,
and one mounted outside the house at the exhaust. Either that, or
I have really noisy filters... we're going to install a "real" hood
in our new house.

Donald

"Donald Tsang" > wrote in message
...
> Vox Humana > wrote:
>>The 300 CFM fan in my microwave hood is very loud while the 600
>>CFM fan in my downdraft range is really quiet. Sometimes I can't
>>tell if it running.
>
> I'm pretty sure our downdraft has dual fans -- one inside the unit,
> and one mounted outside the house at the exhaust. Either that, or
> I have really noisy filters... we're going to install a "real" hood
> in our new house.

In my case the fan is under the range. I suppose it could be mounted in a
remote location, although I don't recall seeing that option offered in
installation instructions.

I wish I had a really good hood instead of what I have.