Guidelines for Plumbing
If your new layout calls for changes with the location of the sink or if you’re adding an additional sink or dishwasher, you’ll need to extend your water supply and drain and vent piping. Extending plumbing lines for a new kitchen is generally easy and inexpensive, but there are some exceptions. For example, if you’re putting in an island sink, the pipes will have to be run under the floor, which is more expensive than plumbing a wall sink.
If your plumbing is more than 25 years old, your costs may go up, depending on the type and condition of your existing pipes. It’s a good idea to have a plumber check out your old plumbing. Even if the new kitchen requires expensive replacement plumbing, it will be less expensive to have it done during a remodel, and it may prevent a disaster down the road. (Older plumbing may also have drain traps and vents that don’t conform to current codes, and your plumber may recommend new runs here.)
Guidelines for Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
If you’re planning a cosmetic make-over or a simple layout change, you can probably continue to use your existing registers or radiators. But if the new kitchen will be substantially larger, or if the ratio of glass surfaces will be greater, you may need to expand the heating/ cooling system. This can be as simple as extending the ducts a few feet or as complicated as installing a new furnace to handle the additional space. To determine your kitchen’s HVAC needs, consult a professional. Although the cooking requirements are quite simple, HVAC contractors use a complicated formula to determine the equipment necessary to meet the code requirements.
For proper ventilation, your cooktop should be equipped with an electric vent hood to exhaust cooking fumes and moisture from the kitchen. Since the capacity of the vent is governed by code, check with a building inspector before selecting a vent hood. Many island cooktops use downdraft fans and ducts that are routed through the floor, which is a more costly and complicated job.
