How to Install a Kitchen Extractor Fan

Kitchen ventilation can cause some confusion as we are often asked questions regarding how to fit a kitchen extractor fan such as ‘do kitchen extractor fans need to vent outside?’

The answer is yes, whether it’s a cooker hood or an extractor fan, they both must vent outdoors. Cooker hoods may require longer ducting depending on their placement in the kitchen.

Where to position the extractor fan in your kitchen

Kitchen extractor fans should always be sited in the furthest window or wall from the main source of air replacement to avoid short-circuiting the airflow. This means placing a fan by the kitchen doors (where air would be coming in from) would be pointless.

It should be located as high as possible in the window or wall nearest to smells or steam, but not directly above eye-level grills or cooker hoods.

Now you know the best place to install your extractor fan, you will need:

• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Drill and correct drill bit
• Flexible ducting
• Saw
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Safety equipment
• Screwdriver
• Mask and gloves & goggles

The Process

1. Use a pipe and cable detector, make sure there are no obstructions inside or outside the wall that will block the fan. (If there is dampness on the wall you plan to install, check for leakage. Rectify the issue before installing).
2. For fitting a fan in a new place, you have to make a hole in your wall. Once you have made sure the wall is clear, hold your fan in place, and use your pencil to trace around the circular edge of the fan. Mark the centre point on the wall and drill a hole through the wall for reference.
3. Drill a series of holes around the circular tracing of your fan at around 35mm apart. Once you have done this, use a chisel and hammer to ‘chop out’ the wall within.
4. After creating the hole, insert the flexible ducting. It should fit at a slight downward angle whilst being flush against the internal and external walls. Trimmings can be made with the saw. (any repairs to plasterwork should be undertaken now).
5. On the inside wall, fit the fan over the hole and use your pencil to mark where it is secured to the wall. Drill the holes to insert any necessary fittings. Position the fan over these holes and secure it in place with your screwdriver.
6. Do the same for the outside wall.
7.  Now it’s time to make the electrical connections, in compliance with ‘Part P’ of UK building regulations, a qualified electrician must make the appropriate connections. If you don’t use a qualified electrician, you can risk damaging the electric circuits in your home, potentially electrically shocking any resident in the home, incurring a criminal fine, and being made to remove the installation.
8. After making the electrical connections, secure the grill covers over the fan on the inside of the kitchen and on the outside wall. If the cover has a slatted design, make sure to position them horizontally to keep the rain out. (Resourced from Plumbworld.co.uk)

Maintenance – How to clean a kitchen extractor fan

We have an in-depth blog specifically about cleaning your extractor fan. Read it by clicking here.

Although cooker hoods will significantly improve humidity control in the kitchen, they are much louder and less energy efficient than an extractor fan, so it’s advised to only use a cooker hood whilst cooking.

Extractor fans will facilitate the removal of humid air in the kitchen at a fraction of the cost and sound too. With that being said, we’re happy to share with your our kitchen extractor range.

Kair Smart 100mm Intelligent Extractor Fan with Humidistat Timer & Data Logger

The Kair Smart 100mm Intelligent Extractor Fan with humidistat Timer & Data Logger is one of our best kitchen extractor fans with humidistat, featuring a 5-year warranty on parts included.

It boasts a Humidistat timer which means the fan will turn off itself after the room’s moisture level goes beneath a certain level. Along with smart sensors that constantly analyse the room it’s in.

Depending on your installation option, you can opt to pull a cord on the fan (or use a remote switch) to activate the boost mode, quickly ensuring any humidity or odour is dealt with at a faster rate.

For a full breakdown of information, functions and price click here to see the full list of features and specifications.

Kair Mini Single Room Heat Recovery Ventilator – White Outer Grille -(min 120mm hole diameter)

The Kair Mini Single Room Heat Recovery Ventilator – White outer Grille – (min 120mm hole diameter) offers higher levels of indoor air quality whilst recycling heat that is normally wasted with traditional extractor fans. It adds fresh & filtered air into your home whilst extracting stale, moist air.

Due to the rise in energy bills, this product can help save that little bit more money on your bills whilst also reducing your carbon footprint, It does this through one of its fan operation modes called “ventilation with energy recovery”. To see the full list of features and specifications, head over to our website now.

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