What makeup air means
Makeup air is outside air brought into a building to replace air that exhaust fans or a range hood pull out.
Where it matters on a HVAC job
Big range hoods in tight houses can starve fuel burning appliances and pull exhaust back down a flue. If a kitchen remodel includes a large hood, ask about makeup air before the cabinets go in.
What the model code says
- Where the home has certain fuel-burning appliances, an exhaust system that can move more than 400 cubic feet per minute needs makeup air at about the same rate. (IRC 2021, Chapter 15)
Check which code edition your building department enforces for makeup air before you quote.
What it costs
For makeup air, the closest koira.ai price is the range hood installation cost guide, near $730 for a typical job and $450 to $1,250 for most. The guide shows its sources and what moves the price.
Work it out
- Cost guide: Range hood installation cost
- Licensing: HVAC license rules by state
- Tools, templates and guides: Free HVAC resources
Sources: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 15, Exhaust Systems (ICC). Checked October 9, 2026.