Most of our modern commercial properties and homes come with an extractor hood for the kitchen cooker, while refurbishments allow people to have the opportunity to retrofit one if they want. This equipment helps you to remove any moisture and steam from your kitchen, but what really happens if it suffers a fault? It’s important to be able to identify what the problems are when they come up.
Airflow is poor
Do you get the impression that your extractor hood isn’t pulling air from the room as it should be? It’s unlikely you will find a partial breakdown on an extractor that has been fine for many years, unless you consult a professional, such as those here at Power Point.
If the extractor isn’t working, it could most probably be the motor which has become faulty and will need to be replaced. Often it can actually be the ventilation preventing the extractor from performing as it should. It’s usually good to at least check the outside of the property in order to establish whether air is being pulled through as it should be.
Hood lights aren’t working
A most common issue with extractor hoods is with the lights fitted into the appliance itself. These are typically difficult to change and can appear to break more regularly than regular lights, but there are two things to always keep in mind when it comes to lighting:
- Firstly, the lights are supposed to be used to light the hob while you are cooking. They shouldn’t be left on for extended periods of time or used for overall room lighting. By leaving the lights on for a much longer period of time, you are going to be more likely to blow them.
- Secondly, because they aren’t designed to be in use for long periods of time, these lights can unfortunately get extremely hot (as you’ll know if you’ve ever touched them). The overheating of the lightbulbs can lead to issues in wiring and could even result in them burning through the casing.
Remember to only use extractor lights when you need them!
Bad smells
A little general maintenance can go a long way, as with any appliance. The extractor should be passing air through and out of the building, but if you’ve noticed a smell coming internally, there could be a few possible causes here.
The most common of these is that grease and dust have accumulated in the initial filter. Most cooker hoods will have a removable grate or filter which can be given a quick wash; you would be surprised how much dirt and mould can accumulate if it is left untouched!
Faulty wiring
The parts and wiring inside an extractor hood are relatively simple; but despite the simple nature of the mechanics underneath the hood, it is still not advised for people to go tearing apart wiring to make repairs when they have no experience. This is where a professional like Power Point come in to help you out, and can be a lifesaver.
Power Point are Gloucestershire’s leading domestic appliance specialists for domestic appliance repairs, spares, and sales on all makes and models of domestic electrical appliances. If you have any questions regarding the new energy labels for the UK or any other query regarding your appliances, then we would be happy to hear from you on 01452 730 874, or alternatively take a look at our website www.powerointglos.co.uk/