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Make-up air for kitchen range hoods in Minneapolis
A big range hood pulls a lot of air out of the house, and that air has to come back from somewhere. Without make-up air it comes down the water heater flue or the fireplace chimney. We design and install the make-up air that lets the hood do its job safely.
- 24/7 calls answered
- Minneapolis service office
- Interlocked opens with the hood
- Backdraft tested after install
Quick answer
Kitchen make-up air in Minneapolis brings outdoor air into the house when a range hood runs, through a motorized damper interlocked with the hood and often tempered by the furnace. Minnesota sets its own rules, tied to the house and its appliances, and homes with atmospheric water heaters or furnaces need it most.
Air Quality & Ducts
Why a big hood needs make-up air
A range hood rated at several hundred cubic feet per minute depressurizes a tight house quickly. The hood then moves less air than its rating, doors whistle, and the house starts pulling air in through the easiest paths, which can include the flue of a water heater or boiler that relies on natural draft. That is how kitchen hoods cause carbon monoxide problems.
Make-up air solves it by opening a dedicated path for outdoor air whenever the hood runs. In Minnesota's winter that air is very cold, so how it enters the house matters as much as how much of it there is.
Compare
Passive or tempered make-up air
| Passive | Tempered | |
|---|---|---|
| How air warms | Mixes in the furnace return | Dedicated heater |
| Best for | Moderate hoods | Very large hoods, heavy cooking |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Winter comfort | Good with moderate hoods | Best with large hoods |
Cost factors
What moves the price
Make-up air is priced by the hood size, the approach and how the air reaches the house.
- Hood exhaust rate. Larger hoods need larger dampers and ducts.
- Passive or tempered. A dedicated heater costs more than tying into the furnace return.
- Duct route. Distance from an outside wall to the furnace or kitchen matters.
- Interlock. Current sensors or hood-specific connections vary.
- Appliances in the house. Atmospheric appliances may need draft corrections too.
- Wall or roof penetration. A new intake hood through siding or roof.
- Permit and inspection. Mechanical permits may apply to the work.
Range hoods over 400 CFM
The national model code sets a simple threshold: exhaust hoods over 400 CFM need make-up air. Minnesota takes a more detailed approach that looks at the house and its appliances, and a remodel with a large hood in an older home often triggers the requirement. We look at the hood's rating, the house's tightness and every combustion appliance, then size make-up air to the hood's real exhaust rate. We coordinate with your kitchen designer or electrician so the hood and damper are wired to work together from day one.
Tempered vs passive make-up air
Passive make-up air is a duct from outdoors with a motorized damper, often delivered into the return side of the furnace so the incoming air mixes and warms before it reaches the room. Tempered make-up air adds a dedicated heater, electric or hydronic, to warm the air before it enters. Passive systems cost less and suit moderate hoods; very large hoods in a Minnesota January can bring in enough cold air to be uncomfortable without tempering. We match the approach to the hood size and how you cook.
Interlocks with the hood
Make-up air only works if it opens when the hood runs. Most systems use a current sensor or relay that detects the hood fan and opens the motorized damper, and some hoods offer a dedicated make-up air connection. We install the damper, wire the interlock, and confirm the damper opens at every hood speed that needs it and closes tight afterward so the house does not leak heat. Then we test water heater and furnace draft with the hood on high.
How Minneapolis homes shape this job
Minnesota amends the national code on make-up air instead of using the IRC's single 400 CFM trigger. Its rules depend on the house and its appliances, and homes that rely on gravity-vented water heaters or furnaces need the most make-up air because those appliances are the easiest to backdraft. That describes a lot of older Minneapolis houses, so we test draft on every atmospheric appliance with the new hood running on high.
What is included
What a make-up air install includes
- Hood rating and house review
- Combustion appliance inventory
- Exterior intake hood with screen
- Insulated make-up air duct
- Motorized damper that closes tight
- Interlock wired to the hood
- Tie-in to the return or a tempering heater
- Draft test on every atmospheric appliance
- Walkthrough of how the system works
Step by step
How a make-up air install runs
- 1
Review the hood and house
Hood rating, house tightness and combustion appliances checked.
- 2
Choose the approach
Passive into the return or a tempered unit.
- 3
Install intake and damper
Outdoor hood, insulated duct and motorized damper installed.
- 4
Wire the interlock
Damper tied to the hood so it opens when the hood runs.
- 5
Test draft
Appliance draft tested with the hood on high.
Questions we get on the phone
Kitchen make-up air installation questions from Minneapolis homeowners
Larger hoods usually do, and Minnesota's rules depend on your house and appliances. We check before the hood goes in.
It works in summer. In a Minnesota winter it is not practical, and it may not satisfy an inspector.
Passive air mixed through the furnace, or a tempered unit, keeps it comfortable.
A big hood can pull exhaust back down its flue. We test draft after installation.
Yes. It is best to plan make-up air when the hood is chosen.
More from this category
Related work we handle
HRV and ERV Installation
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How we handle hrv and erv installationBathroom Exhaust Fan Installation
Replacing a Noisy Fan and more.
When you need bathroom exhaust fan installationChimney Liner Installation
Orphaned Water Heater Liners and more.
Details on liners for boilers on masonry chimneysLet the new hood work safely
Call when you pick the hood, and we will size the make-up air to match.