[Birkie]

I went over the manual for my Arietta Range Hood and discovered that the duct from the squirrel cage fan is 8" and they recommend 8" duct through the wall.


We live in Northern Wisconsin and the temp right now is minus 10. This morning I ordered their non-return valve for $21 which should help with keep the cold air out. But wow, that is a huge hole in the side of my house! Our excellent hardware store doesn't even carry an 8" outside duct cover.

Can I telescope it down to 6"? If so, at what point do I telescope, at the 90 degree elbow piece, or at the short, straight run through the wall?

I know this may make the fan noisier, and it voids the warranty...
I am also trying to avoid the power supply lines running up the side of the exterior of the house which can barely accommodate an 8" duct opening.

[DesignDiva]

I wouldn't recommend it...besides the issues you've already mentioned, it will compromise the performance. It's worth doing it properly. You can get a damper that will keep the cold air out but open to allow the vent to operate.

[splatgirl]

If it makes you feel any better, my range hood has a 10" duct and I live in MN

I had to special order ductwork in that size and, in what had to have been the most fun project EVER, spend several hours with a mini jackhammer and a recip. saw while up on a ladder trying to make the hole through my 8" solid reinforced concrete walls.

Leave it at 8" and don't worry, it will be fine. A properly sized, (8" rather than 6") hole through your wall is a small price to pay for having a range hood that actually works.

[Harpy]

Once you get it installed, please let us know how you like it, Birkie. I'm very interested in those hoods.

[Birkie]

Just a follow-up on where I finally found the 8" ductwork that the Arietta Range Hood Fan from Home Depot requires...

If you are venting out the sidewall and not the roof, you need an 8" wall cap on the outside. The only one I could find was Nutone/Broan #643. It costs about $50 at Schills LLC.

Another piece I had to order to make this work in a northern climate is a non return valve that rests inside the duct above the fan and closes when the fan is off to keep the cold air out. Appliance Parts which distributes Home Depot parts phone # is in the manual to order this, as well as other optional pieces.

8" elbow was available at my local hardware store.

So, I'll update when we get the fan installed, but the $279 price is now up to about $350 with all the parts.