Are Range Hood Making Noise When Off | All of Your Solution is Here

Range hoods that make noises other than the sound of the fan are not typical. Even if the hood is not in operation, there shouldn’t be any noise from the appliance. Sometimes, you’ll hear noise coming from the range hood, even though it’s not operating! Why? The noise that the range hood makes when it is not functioning is caused by weather conditions outside. Rain and wind can play with the exhaust vent on the hood to bring the sound inside via the venting. If your hood gets noisy, mainly when the weather is windy or rainy, a few minor fixes may be able to solve the issue. While there could be various reasons for the noise of an idle range hood, the primary cause is the wind. Stay with us to discover how you can tackle this issue to ensure that your kitchen is as quiet as possible.

Range hood making noise when off

First, we must find out the source of the noise. If your hood is loud in windy conditions, there’s a good possibility that the problem is in the vent outside. The flue is equipped with an air-flow damper that aids in directing air out. However, taking it out isn’t an option as dampers also stop insects and other debris entering the vent. The most effective method to prevent hood dampers from being blasted by winds is to place an object of foam in the gaps.

Damper flaps are generally composed of a thin sheet of metal held in place by gravity. When the weather is windy, it’s effortless for winds to blow them around, smash them against the ground, and create the sound of banging that resonates across the vent. It is possible to fix the damper’s flap onto the foam with some glue to reduce the banging noise. In essence, anything that could absorb the movement of the flap could work. It could be foam, rubber and even cotton. You need to put a bit of the material in the opening to reduce the sound.

Another info guide: How to install under cabinet ductless range hood

The range hood is making a noise when it’s raining

Rain is another reason for noise emanating from the range hood. If there is rain, it’s possible to hear water running into the vent and the sound echoing through the kitchen. To solve the issue of noise from the range hood caused by rain, consider having insulation placed around the vents. Insulation that can endure the fluctuations of dust and weather and soundproofing capabilities will certainly work. But, this is quite costly and is only used by those who can afford the entire duct sealing.

If you are looking for a low-cost solution, the weather flap is the answer. They fit over the outside of your vent and stop the entry of insects and water, thereby the possibility of sound coming out of the vent. The louvres that face direct drops of water towards the ground downwards. The most appealing part is that they close and close with a single click.

Other reasons range hood make noise when off

Range hoods do not have to be noisy because of the conditions. The most frequent causes of range hood noise are the absence of regular maintenance, resulting in faulty or worn-out parts. 

Fan blades touch

The fan blades could be rubbing against the bottom of the motor when you hear a squeak every time the hood turns on. This could be the result of improper installation. If you had to clean the fan last week, the fan’s placement was likely not done correctly. The only thing you need to do is secure the fan until it is at its top with enough tension that it does not lose its grip and has enough room for the blades to freely swing.

Unfit rubber belts

A motor for a range hood is an electric belt that connects it with the pulley. If this belt gets loose, it can produce a squeaking sound. To fix this issue, make sure that the belt is replaced by a new one of the correct size.

Replacement of bearings

The bearings on the range hood could cause the noise that is grinding. The directions may be damaged as caused by rough usage and poor cleaning of the range hood. It is essential to replace them with new approaches as quickly as possible.

Stuck debris

Dust, dirt, and pebbles could make their way into the air ducts in your range hood with time. Outside debris inside the fan is a common problem that many range hood owners confront. Cleaning your hood regularly will ensure that your hood is free of this issue.

How to make the range hoods quieter

Although range hoods generally don’t make a lot of sounds, the echo reflected from the duct may raise the volume of operation. To reduce the noise of your range hood, you should consider installing insulation. A single layer of soundproofing would be enough to absorb the echoing sound. It is also advised to operate the hood with lower speeds if you aren’t cooking, which is often. This will help you save energy. However, it will reduce noise as range hoods function more quietly at lower speeds. The larger duct size is also an effective method to reduce echoes, but it’s costly and labour-intensive.

See more to learn: Why range hood blowing out air

How to stop range hood making noise when windy?

Luckily, we have provided several solutions to this issue. Some simple fixes are done using a ladder and five minutes, while other permanent solutions will take about an hour and some tools.

Install a spring-loaded butterfly damper

In my opinion, it’s the best option for most people. While installing it can take some time, it’s worthwhile. Most likely, you can put it inside your kitchen so that you won’t need to climb up to the attic. The butterfly damper should be placed between the vent and the range hood. Be sure to position it correctly. (The butterfly needs to be opened to form the exterior). After putting the duct, double-check using your hands and push it in from the opposite side of the room.

Foam the external backdraft damper

The idea is more of a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution. It will reduce the range under the hood until there is the time or the resources to make an ongoing fix. Use a 1-inch piece of weather stripping or another type of foam with an adhesive backing. Stick onto the frame between the damper flap. Then, you can try lifting the damper to see whether it’s making a metallic sound. If it’s silent when you put it, it will remain quiet once you wind it.

Down The Damper Flap

Because most damper flaps are constructed of thin sheets of aluminium or metal, They are very light and easy for the wind to grab them. Range hoods are strong enough to allow you to open the flap even when you put it on the floor. I’ve seen some put washers or coins on the damper flap to weigh them down. This certainly works when you use the correct type of glue. There is a more practical idea!

Use a wind defender

I’ve never personally tried this product, but I’ve heard good things. There are three ways the wind protector damper is different from a normal one. It is expensive in comparison to other options. It will cost anything between $80 and $124 based on the dimensions of the duct. I’d instead use the spring-loaded butterfly damper inline and foam combination. It’s less expensive, easy to set up, and it doesn’t need to remove the old muffler off the wall.

Switch to a ductless range hood

If you don’t cook many cooking tasks and your existing range hood isn’t as good as previous ones, you might consider ductless range hoods. Modern range hoods that are ductless are efficient in removing cooking smells and smoke. With the ductless range hood, you’ll undoubtedly conserve energy and eliminate the irritating wind flapping.

Conclusion

Before calling an expert to visit and inspect the hood yourself, the noise issues that arise from the range hood usually require minor repairs, which can be completed by anyone. If the problem persists, it indicates that an appropriate repair is needed. Then, you’ll need to seek help from a professional.