Cooking can be noisy, but if your range hood is making excessive noise, it can be a real nuisance. Not only can a loud range hood be annoying, but it may also be a sign that something is not functioning correctly.
From rattling and humming to screeching and whistling, there are many reasons why your range hood may be making noise. But don’t worry; you can take steps to diagnose and fix the problem.
Generally, you should hear more airflow noise than motor noise. However, this may vary depending on the type and length of the duct. A rattling or vibration can indicate a problem with the installation or something loose. These sounds can require further investigation.
Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is a great way to measure the power of kitchen hoods. CFM determines the amount of power that the kitchen hood emits. The ability of the range hood fan to push air is described in simple terms.
Often, commercial kitchens or those where cooking is done frequently have range hoods with a higher CFM compared to residential kitchens.
A powerful range hood is necessary for more frequent cooking or spicier dishes that produce smoke, heat and smells.
You can clear out your kitchen faster with a higher CFM. A high CFM is unnecessary for a residential kitchen, though too much could be overkill.
Why Is My Range Hood So Loud?
Chances are the noise being made by your hood is normal, or it may indicate an issue based on the sort of noise.
In this case, you can either perform service or replace the range hood, or simply turn it down to a low setting. The range hood doesn’t need to be serviced if it just makes a normal noise, but it is very loud.
The Extractor Fan Motor Is Rusty
An extractor fan motor extracts air from the room via the cooker hood.
When the motor gets rusty due to moisture or is damaged by grease buildup, it will no longer function properly, causing it to produce a loud whirring sound. This should be corrected by replacing the motor.
The Motor Casing And Mounting Is Cracked
Plastic makes up the casing and mounting of the motor, and it can crack or break. As a result, the motor will not be held in place properly, moving around and making noise when the hood is operated.
Depending on its placement, it could bang against the metal casing of the hood or rub against the impeller, which can cause a loud noise to be heard.
Inspecting the motor casing and mounting is recommended; you can see them using a flashlight.
The Impeller Isn’t Tightly Screwed On
The impeller will be fabricated from plastic and will bolt to the motor spindle. It is possible for impellers to end up rubbing against foreign objects or be broken if they come in contact with them.
These things will create noise if they happen. Verify that the bolt holding the impeller in place is securely tightened and inspect its general condition.
The Carbon Filters Are Worn Out
A recirculating hood’s active carbon filters need to be replaced every three months. The carbon filters may crack if they become too worn and allow small pieces of carbon to pass through.
When a box is shaken with carbon pieces inside, it will make a noise, similar to pebbles. Filters that are damaged need to be replaced.
The Non-Return Valve Has Come Loose
An expelled air cannot reenter through a non-return valve on most cooker hoods. Clapping sounds can be heard occasionally when this valve is in operation.
There are several possible causes, including grease, general wear and tear, or incorrect valve installation.
If you want to inspect this component, you can do it yourself. There will be some at the point where the air exits the hood. In cases where the valve flaps too freely, you can reduce the noise by applying blue tack on its flaps.
The Choice Of The Cooker Hood Is A Determining Factor
When choosing a cooker hood, there are a number of factors to consider. Cooker hoods do not all operate in the same manner, produce the same noise or operate at the same speed. A few high-performance models may be noisy.
A properly selected hood is vital if you don’t want to be disturbed by noise. A decibel (dB) rating on appliances now identifies the noise level.
Therefore, you can compare different cooker hoods and choose one that offers the best compromise in terms of extraction power and noise level.
Fixing Range Hood Noise
If the range hood is damaged, it may produce noise when it is running. This is a result of an injured fan that makes more noise. These guidelines will help you fix noisy Rangehood and have the fan working like new again:
- The power button should be located in front of the range hood. Tap it to turn it on. Watch for a fan to pick up speed and identify where the noise is coming from. Consider the type of noise that is being produced and whether it is intermittent or constant.
- Search for the screws holding the cover on the hood. The screws on the cover should be removed with a screwdriver; then, the cover must be removed so you can access the fan. Ensure that you store the cover safely since you’ll need it after the fan has been fixed.
- Take note of the fan’s condition and check to see if it has cracks or blade damage. Once that is done, remove the screws holding the fan in place. You can remove the fan now.
- It may be necessary to clean the fan or straighten the blades. That’s what you should do if it’s the case. Depending on the damage, you may need to replace the blades.
- Install the new blade on top of the range hood, matching the blade from the range hood. You can tighten it with the same screw unless you are using a screwdriver.
- Cover the hood with the cover again. Once the screws are tight, test the fan to see if it works properly without making noise.
So that’s it. By following these steps, it is easy to fix a noisy range hood. It is doable on your own.
If you want to follow these guidelines, you must read and understand them. The best way to fix vent hoods is to hire someone who has experience in the field.
Sones
You might have noticed when shopping for a range hood, they all indicate their “single level”. A range hood’s fan noise is essentially an indication of how loud it gets.
As a rule of thumb, the more power a range hood has, the higher its sone level will be. It also means a louder range hood.
While what may be “noisy” to one person may not be so loud to another. A good ventilation system is about getting the right sone level for your cooking needs.
Although you don’t always need to operate your range hood at its maximum setting, you can sometimes do so at a lower setting.
Therefore, if you buy a range hood that has a high noise level, you may not have to keep it there constantly.
There is more importance to providing proper ventilation and fire prevention than hearing some noise from time to time. Some people are bothered by the noise and will purchase a range hood that makes less noise just for that reason.
When you cook a spicy or fishy dish, your range hood will not be able to clear smoke and smell quickly if your cooking style isn’t right for it.
How To Tell What’s A Good Sone For Your Kitchen?
- Consult the owner’s manual for your range hood first if you think it’s too loud. There should be a number of songs listed.
- Your kitchen might be too powerful if it has a rating of 7 or 8 despite cooking the equivalent of 5 or 6 meals a week.
- In general, a 1- or 2-score rating is acceptable, whose sound level is similar to that of a running refrigerator.
- If you barely cook or the dishes you prepare require very little fanning and grease removal, you should buy a fan with this low level.
- You can control your sodium level according to how often, what, and at what temperature you cook your meals.
- The ideal range hood is one that is at least five or six levels high if you see a lot of smoke and grease coming off your range during mealtime.
Final Words
You may think your range hood is too loud, but if it’s the appropriate CFM for your range, then that’s the truth. It’s possible that your range hood is too powerful for your kitchen.
