Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Chimney in Your Home
Perhaps, you have already purchased a chimney by now, if you are reading this. And that is why you are seeking to know more about chimney installation procedures. We enumerate details below…
Table of contents:
- Things to know before we begin:
- Technical aspects you need to know:
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- Chimney’s size
- Space between chimneys and stoves
- Duct of the chimney
- Hole drilling on the wall for the chimney duct
- Installation charges
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Things to know before we begin
Most suppliers demand an additional-fee for chimney installation; having a basic understanding of how to construct a chimney, will help you determine the quality of their work. All chimneys are also fitted with a plastic duct-pipe, which is unsuitable for the task and will break after a few months of use.
It will be more expensive, to have to contact the kitchen-appliances-installation-personnel, a second time around, to make the required alterations to the ducting. Rather than buying the duct pipe and cover separately, it is advisable to purchase them both at the same time and have them installed together.
Before purchasing the duct pipe, double-check the chimney specifications. The size of the duct pipe is determined by the kind of chimney, used in the installation.
Here are the technical aspects you need to know
- Chimney size:
During the process of chimney-installation in a modular kitchen, the size of the chimney is crucial. Even if there is only a little amount of displacement, a large chimney may be able to collect smoke from your stove.
However, if the size of your chimney is the same as the size of your hob, it is critical that the chimney be put squarely above it, matching its dimensions, end-to-end. If you have a smaller chimney, align the centre of the chimney, with the centre of the hob.
- Space between chimney and stove:
The distance between the top of the cooktop and the chimney, should be between 26-30 inches. If the distance between the two places is less than 26 inches, when the gas stove is switched on without a utensil on the burner, the oil in the collectors, has the potential to ignite, resulting in a fire in the chimney.
Furthermore, if the distance between the chimney and the hob, exceeds 36 inches, the stove is deemed too tiny. As a consequence, the chimney will be unable to exhaust all of the heat and smoke. As a result, pollutants accumulate, causing the kitchen shelves to become greasy and unclean. The distance between the chimney and the cooktop, determines its effectiveness.
- Duct of the chimney:
Ensure that the duct of the kitchen chimney is not longer than 12 feet. Because of their robustness and prolonged life expectancy, stainless steel and aluminum, are the most-often used duct materials. The majority of chimneys, are composed of PVC, which melts fast when exposed to high temperatures when suctioning.
Another factor to consider, is that the duct should not have too many bends in its design. The curves make it more difficult for smoke to enter the exhaust system. As a consequence, a pipe with fewer bends is more efficient than a pipe with several bends.
- Hole drilling on the wall for chimney duct:
To fit the duct, a 6-inch-wide circular aperture in the kitchen’s wall, should be cut. This cut-out should be built in the kitchen’s outside wall, at a height of 7 feet above the ground level. In the absence of a pre-existing aperture, speak with a chimney installer, who will dig a sufficient opening for the chimney.
Another option to consider during a chimney fitting, is to route the duct via the aperture in the external exhaust fan’s cut-out housing. Because such conditions are more likely to arise in a rental house or apartment, it is advised that ductless chimney types, be used in such instances.
- Installation charges
Similar to installing heavy appliances such as counter depth refrigerators, french door refrigerators, etc., the cost of labour and ducts will be included in the chimney’s quotation for installation. The chimney installation technician, may visit between 24 and 48 hours after it has been delivered to the customer.
The following is an estimate of the usual cost of chimney-installation in a modular kitchen, charged by major fireplace manufacturers in India (as of 2022).
INR 600 for labour or electric-chimney-installation services.
INR 2,000 for a ducting kit.
Some installation engineers may additionally charge you for travel time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I choose chimney-size?
The size of your chimney should be determined by the size of your stove. To efficiently absorb smoke, the chimney proportions should be somewhat larger than the size of your stove. Most chimneys come in two common sizes: 60 cm and 90 cm. If you have two-burner gas stoves, you might choose a chimney that is 60 cm broad. If your stove has three or more burners, use a 90 cm-wide chimney.
- How far does a chimney have to be from a wall?
Typically a chimney must be at least 12-18 inches away from the wall. Anything less, can make grease particles accumulate on the wall. A kitchen chimney near the window, might be installed. While cooking, you will have greater access to natural light. During chimney installation, make sure that the window is not too close to the gas burner, otherwise suction will be compromised.
- How high should a stove pipe be above the roof?
Consider the 3-2-10 rule, which governs a chimney’s height above roofs. In general, any chimney, stove pipe, or other heating exhaust vent, should be at least 3 feet (1 metre) above the roofline or 2 feet (61 centimetres), above any section of the structure within a 10-foot (3-meter) radius.
