In this video, Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, helps a homeowner put in an exhaust fan to rid her kitchen of smelly cooking odors.
Project details
Skill
Cost
Estimated Time
Steps to Installing an Exhaust in the Wall
- Use a stud finder to locate studs and find an empty bay to install the fan. Or drill a hole and use fish tape to find the structure.
- Using a pencil, trace an outline of the circular exhaust housing.
- Cut out plaster using a utility knife.
- Remove the lathe using a reciprocating saw and remove any insulation that may potentially block the exhaust.
- Outside, trace an outline of the dimensions of the square exhaust housing and remove the siding with the utility knife.
- Trace an outline of the circular exhaust within the square dimensions and remove the sheathing with the reciprocating saw.
- Screw the outer square exhaust housing to the structure using screws from the kit and a drill/driver.
- Locate an electrical source with constant power.
- Connect nonmetallic 14-2 sheathed electrical wire to the power source by splicing the wires together using pliers. Cover the connections with wire connectors.
- Place the circular housing in the hole, pull the wire through, and make the connections to the electrical box.
- Insert the fan into the housing and plug it into the electrical box.
- Insert the fan cover using the cap screw.
Tools
Related
All About Kitchen Vent Hoods
Tools & Materials
- Stud finder
- Utility knife
- Reciprocating saw
- Drill/driver
- Pliers
- Wire cutters
