Can I modify a normal range hood to connect a external blower?

wyx2000

12 years ago

I have a regular range hood, it has a motor inside. I perfer a external blower, and I don't want to buy a special range hood for it. To me it seems I can just remove the motor and then install a external blower outside (electric wiring is another issue). Is that right? any problem with it?

thanks

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geo91324

12 years ago

If by "normal" you mean that your hood has an internal blower that blows into vents that are already in place that lead to the outside, then yes. An in-line blower is probably your easiest bet. An external blower usually requires its own housing. All this assumes that removing your existing internal blower does not alter the structural integrity or the air flow geometry of your existing hood. And, of course, the electrical requirements have to be made compatible between your existing hood and the new blower.

Make sure the size of your vents are consistent with whatever your new blower specifies.

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Comments (7)

User
12 years ago
"An external blower usually requires its own housing"

technically yes, BUT all that I know of for kitchen hoods come with the housing already integrated so it's not like you have another project on your hands sourcing one.
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geo91324
12 years ago
My point was that the housing unit a remote blower comes with will require some roof or side wall installation and flashing work, as opposed to the in-line blower that can use the existing vent outlet.
chmpgntst
12 years ago
I'm interested in this idea -- just moved into a new house with a large, lovely-to-look-at dacor hood that is VERY loud, even on the lowest setting. Who would be my best consult on this project -- electrician? HVAC?

TIA
sskit
12 years ago
I know it can be done because when we did a makover of our kitchen a few years back my friend who was doing the work asked me if I would rather have my existing above the range Microwave/Hood combo vent outside instead of internally like it was. I said yes and he ducted it vertically outside.
bernise6
12 years ago
Yes. A friend of mine had it done in a house with just the standard 80's style hood that came in the house. He paid a contractor to install the outdoor fan, it was switched on the wall by the stove. Nothing was changed on the original hood. It increased the airflow dramatically and wasn't as noisy. He was fond of saying, "it will suck the sheets right off the bed".
Emilner
12 years ago
Yes, I did it with my last hood (Best). I pulled out the stock blower and put an inline in the attick. I then ran the wire from the blower into the stock hood and plugged it right in where the stock blower plugged in. It worked great and was super quiet.

As with any remote blower just remember to turn the fan on a minute or two before you need it. With a remote system is take a moment or two to get the velocity of air moving through the duct...

Can I modify a normal range hood to connect a external blower?

geo91324

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