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I am having a bit of a problem with the exhaust vent from my kitchen cook range and microwave. I can feel the cold air from outside coming through it. How do I prevent this from happening. The outside went has no "damper" but can you put one on like those for a dryer vent (I assume not). If that is not possible, what can be done to prevent the draft in this kind of weather.
The microwave is supposed to have a flapper damper already built in. It has been damaged or removed. Remove the microwave (usually four long bolts in the shelving above it) tilt it down, and then out. Looksee what the problem is.
That's what you should have on top of your micro. If you don't or it doesn't appear to close correctly either install one, or a new one. They're not worth trying to fix with scotch tape and bailing wire.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zotmeister
Can you have one with a flap outside for a kitchen exhuast fan vent much like a dryer vent? The one I have does not have flaps outside.
If you know the duct size you should be able to find an exhaust cover on Amazon or something like that. You can probably do a lot better than the cheesy ones sold at HD.
"Can you have one with a flap outside for a kitchen exhuast fan vent much like a dryer vent? The one I have does not have flaps outside."
You could, I suppose, but it would be much more susceptible to flapping in stray breezes, and under certain conditions could freeze up. The one at the microwave also acts as a weak firestop. If you had a pan catch on fire on the stove, and a column of heated air went up the vent pipe, it would act like a chimney. Having the flapper at the bottom prevents the chimney effect. A side effect is that on really cold days, having the flapper at the bottom keeps the air column cold, and the vent stays closed. A vent flapper at the top would have the house air forcing it open, leading to heat loss and wasted $$$.
If the flap at the microwave is operating properly, there should be an absolute minimum of cold air intrusion. Repair or replacement of the flap is the option I would choose. Improper or sloppy installation where the duct and microwave join is somewhat common. A little fiberglass insulation around the joint, and inspection to make sure the flap seals properly and is not bent should resolve the issue. On cold days (20 degrees and below), you might feel a trace of cool under the microwave, but no breezes or air currents.
If you have leaky heating ducts in your hot air heating, then the negative air pressure in the house may make any tiny gap a point for air entry into the house. The same goes if you are using a fireplace or other system that causes air to leave the house envelope. In those cases, the problem is less the vent, and more the leaking ducts or lack of a place near the fireplace where make-up air can be admitted.
It appears I would have to take the microwave off the shelf for me to see the fdamper/flap. This would be rather cumbersome to take the whole microwave off. Isd there a way to see the flap without taking apart the microwave. Can I unscrew the shell and check it out with the microwave still attached to the shelf. It has been cool here and I do feel a small trace of cool air
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