The kitchen comprises so many appliances both large and small. However, one of the most critical kitchen appliances that play a paramount role in the overall success of your cooking endeavors is the kitchen exhaust fan. Now, when the fun is running normally, the only noise you’re supposed to hear is the humming of the motor. But, suppose you’ve heard some unusual sounds that are beyond the humming range? In that regard, it’s ultimately clear there’s an alarming issue that needs to be examined. So, if you’re facing such an issue and you’re unable to hire a technician to troubleshoot the problem, you don’t need to worry as this short guide will offer a step-by-step procedure on how to reduce kitchen exhaust fan noise.
But, What is a Kitchen Exhaust Fan Exactly?
To understand how to troubleshoot a kitchen exhaust fan, you need to have a basic understanding of how it works. In a nutshell, an exhaust hood, also known as a range hood, is an appliance that’s installed above your cooktop to exhaust or sack contaminated kitchen air to the outside.
Their design allows them to sack and exhaust gases, greases, and odors to the outside while allowing fresh clean air to recirculate back to your kitchen.
Now, during the sucking and exhausting of contaminated air, dirt, greases, and debris are likely to accumulate over time causing the motor to struggle thus causing unusual noise. The problem can also be caused by rattling which can be a result of defective components or a loose connection on the vent hood.
So, whether the problem is caused by the fan motor, loose wiring, power failure, or moisture dripping, here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can troubleshoot a noisy exhaust fan.
How to Fix a Noisy Kitchen Exhaust Fan?
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Step One:
To reduce exhaust fan noise, the first step you’ll need to take is to switch the fan on then get close to try and identify the cause of the problem.
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Step Two:
Switch the fan off then use a screwdriver to tighten any loose screws. You can do this by first opening the cover to access the fan. If there are any loose screws, tighten them then tighten the screws on the cover.
Don’t forget to tighten any loose installation screws that hold the exhaust fan towards the wall and the cabinet. Switch the motor on and listen attentively to the fan as it speeds up to see whether the noise is intermittent or constant.
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Step Three:
If the noise persists, pick your screwdriver and open the vent cover gently. This will give you access to the fan and the interior of the exhaust hood. Place the vent cover and the screws in a safe place for easy retrieval.
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Step Four:
When you’re done with the cover, locate the screws mounting the fan and remove them gently. Take off the fan gently and examine it to see whether there are any notable issues. Since the exhaust fan is designed to suck out debris and greases from the kitchen, it’s likely the fan blades are severely clogged.
In case the fan is clogged, use a toothbrush and a clean cloth to clean it thoroughly. You see, when the blades of your fan are covered with kitchen greases, then it’s likely they might become imbalanced resulting in tattling and shaking. This frequent shaking can cause the fan to be noisy.
In case you had performed a thorough cleaning earlier before the noise issue, you might have tampered with the fan causing it to be misaligned. This can cause imbalance when spinning leading to a squeaking noise or a vibration.
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Step Five:
Once you’ve corrected all these issues and the problem still persists, then it’s time to perform a much deeper diagnosis as it’s already clear the problem is dire. From this point, its best that you contact a professional technician to diagnose the issue for you if you’re unable to do it yourself. One of the things you might need to check on is the size of the fan.
Remember, if the fan is small and unable to cope with the amount of air that’s passing through it, then this can make it noisy. Another reason that can cause the kitchen exhaust fan to be noisy is worn out bearings.
You see, ball-bearing shafts are the best to consider, as they’re quieter than solid brass bearings. The latter tend to get worn out really fast causing noises.
Back to the fan, check the fan blades once more to ensure they fit perfectly on the metallic protective grille housing without hitting the sides. If they’re loose and wobbling, then they can hit the sides of the grille causing noises.
Finally, check the design of the fan blades. If your fan’s blades are curved, they’re able to cut into the airless resulting in less noise. On the other hand, if the blades are straight or angled, they are likely to cause more air movement resulting in noise.
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Step Six:
If the problem is any of the above, then the best solution is to change the fan with one that will meet all the criteria required for a silent fan. Always confirm the size to ensure that it fits perfectly in the metal housing.
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Step Seven:
Once you’ve fitted a new exhaust fan, screw it tightly then assign the vent cover back on. Make sure all the screws are tight before you switch the fan on. At this time, the fan should be quieter and work with more efficiency.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. In case you’ve been hearing unusual noise coming out of your kitchen exhaust fan, then you know what you’re supposed to do. At times, you might opt to ignore the noise. But, this doesn’t make the noise go away. In fact, it makes the situation worse as your kitchen exhaust fan can break down forcing you to spend more on repairs or even replacements.
But, with this step-by-step guide at your disposal, all you need to do is simply follow the guidelines and understand them. By doing so, you can easily diagnose your exhaust fan and fix any issues.