Good ventilation is important throughout your home - however, this is especially true within your kitchen. After all, when cooking or preparing a delicious meal, a variety of airborne particles are produced - from smoke to odors. Without ventilation, they will linger within the kitchen, which could lead to a variety of health complaints and maintenance issues.
However, while there are various legislations in place regarding commercial kitchen ventilation, few exist for residential properties. This makes it a little harder for homeowners to ensure they have proper ventilation within their homes.
Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can remedy this - such as by installing powerful kitchen fans.
How can I improve Kitchen Ventilation?
Many homeowners would be surprised to find out just how dangerous improper ventilation is. It is more than an inconvenience that leaves behind heat or bad smells - it can actually cause a wide range of health complaints. This is particularly pertinent for those who have pre-existing respiratory conditions or allergies or within homes where young children are present.
As such, finding ways to ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated should be considered a priority moving forward.
There are a few different ways in which you can improve kitchen ventilation. For example, simply opening the window when cooking (and for a little while after cooking) can help improve airflow throughout the space, which can prevent the build-up of smoke, odors, and more. For example, a recent study found that “opening kitchen windows and doors during cooking can reduce carbon dioxide levels by up to 54% more than opening the doors only.” However, that does not mean you should not keep your doors open when cooking, too, especially if they are external doors.
However, exhaust fans are perhaps the most preferential method of kitchen ventilation, as they are purpose-built to tackle this issue. As such, when in use, they can dramatically improve the indoor air quality within your home, which not only works to keep you safe but can also prevent any damage from occurring to your property.
What are the benefits of having a fan in your kitchen?
Kitchen fans are types of kitchen exhaust systems designed to improve ventilation within your kitchen by removing or filtering pollutants present in the air, such as smoke. As such, there are many benefits associated with installing them in your home, such as:
- Improved air quality. Perhaps the most benefit associated with installing kitchen fans is the fact they can dramatically improve indoor air quality by removing a range of pollutants present after cooking. As a result, you may notice a reduction in allergy/respiratory symptoms after installation.
- Reduced odors. Odors from cooking can often linger for hours (and sometimes days). However, with proper exhaust and ventilation systems in place, this is no longer an issue. This is particularly great news for those who tend to burn foods when cooking and then have to deal with the lingering, smoky smell for days afterward.
- Improved cleanliness. Kitchen exhaust systems can also help to keep your kitchen clean. This is because they prevent the build-up of greasy residues throughout the kitchen by filtering out airborne grease particles. As such, you may notice that you can cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning your kitchen.
- Reduced moisture in the kitchen. A recent study from the Indoor Air Quality Scientific Resources Bank found that “approximately 47% of houses in the United States have substantial levels of mold.” Ventilation systems can help to reduce, as they combat humidity by removing excess moisture from the air. As a result, mold and mildew are less likely to build up within your kitchen.
- Improve kitchen design. Kitchen fans not only make your kitchen a more pleasant space to spend time in (as you aren’t overwhelmed by heat or smoke), but they can also improve the overall design of your kitchen. For example, if your fan is built into a stylish range hood, this can create an interesting focal point that you base the rest of your kitchen design around.
- Improved health. Many of the above benefits serve your own health as well as your property’s health. This is because it reduces the chances of you being exposed to harmful pollutants or allergens when at home. As a result, you may notice an improvement in health and well-being after you have installed your kitchen fan.
- Increased property value. Many realtors believe that Kitchens are often the most influential space in the home when it comes to winning over buyers. As such, anything that improves the efficiency and appearance of your kitchen can add value to your home - which drives up your asking price and increases the chances of a sale should you look at moving in the near future.
- Kitchen fans are long-lasting assets. Kitchen fans are designed for heavy, daily use. As a result, they’re built from durable materials, meaning they can often last years on end - providing you care for them correctly. As a result, they are a worthwhile investment of your money, as you will not need to replace them in a hurry.
What happens if my kitchen lacks proper ventilation?
Without kitchen fans (or similar ventilation/exhaust tools), you could be creating a significant health and safety risk within your home.
For example, many studies have concluded that poor ventilation is a significant fire risk. Considering that 49% of house fires in the US start in the kitchen, it is clear that this is a space in your home that must always be well-ventilated and as smoke-free as possible.
Furthermore, poorly-ventilated properties are also more likely to have mold issues - which can not only damage your property but impact your health. In fact, “of the 21.8 million people reported to have asthma in the U.S., approximately 4.6 million cases are estimated to be attributable to dampness and mold exposure in the home.”
What are the different kinds of Kitchen Fans?
Kitchen exhaust fans, rather than being standalone kitchen appliances, are built-in to other systems within your kitchen, such as your range hood. There are many different kinds of fans used here, including:
- Remote blowers
- Integrated blowers
- Ductless conversion kits
However, in recent years, recirculating extractor fans tend to be the most popular. This is because they are relatively easy to set up, as the fact that the fan filters the air before recirculating it into your kitchen means they do not require any ductwork. As a result, they’re less expensive and time-consuming to install, making them a great low-budget way to improve indoor air quality within your home.
How to choose the right fan for your kitchen?
As mentioned previously, there are a variety of different kitchen fans to choose from - which can make it a little harder to determine which is right for your property.
Nevertheless, there are some factors that could sway your decision - from the design of the range hood and its ability to blend in with the rest of your kitchen design to your overall budget.
However, your main point of focus at this time should be centred around buying a fan that is powerful enough to meet your needs. To determine this, you need to familiarize yourself with two figures:
- Your stovetops BTUs
- Your fan/range hoods CFM
BTUs (British Thermal Units) refer to “the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.” In more simple terms, they reflect the cooking power of your devices.
CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) data measures the “rate of flow of any gas or air in or out of a space.” By figuring out your kitchen’s ideal CFM, you can then determine just how powerful of a fan you need. To gather this data, divide your kitchen’s total BTU by 100.
Once you’ve gathered this data, you’ll have a better understanding of your requirements when it comes to installing a kitchen fan that provides you with adequate ventilation.
How much do Kitchen Fans Cost?
There are various different factors that could influence the price of installing kitchen fans within your home.
- The model/design. Different models of range hoods and ventilation fans come with different price tags, which is likely depending upon the materials used.
- The system. If you are choosing a fan that is vented, this will incur extra costs if any renovations need to be made to your home during the installation process. However, this cost can be mitigated by installing a recirculating (or ductless) extractor fan.
- Exhaust Power. More powerful fans also tend to be a little more expensive than those that are less powerful, which is why it is important you figure out your CFM ahead of time.
At World Copper Smith, we’re committed to providing our customers with access to state-of-the-art kitchen and home appliances - for a fair and reasonable price. After all, we do not believe that you should have to break the bank in order to bring your vision for your dream home to life.
Furthermore, it is crucial to consider the financial (and personal) risks associated with not installing a fan - such as the cost of recovering from fire/smoke damage. Taking this into consideration, alongside the fact that they are built to last a long time, proves that kitchen fans are a worthwhile investment of your money.
Improve the Air Quality in Your Home With A Kitchen Exhaust Fan From World Copper Smith.
In short, there are many benefits associated with installing kitchen exhaust systems within your property. This includes:
- Significantly improved indoor air quality.
- The reduction of unpleasant odors that are usually left behind when cooking.
- Improved cleanliness throughout your kitchen, especially when it comes to the build-up of grease, mold, and other unpleasant residues.
- Improved kitchen design and aesthetics, which could, in turn, increase the value of your property.
- Improved health and well-being, especially for those who have respiratory conditions or asthma.
As such, property owners whose homes do not already have a kitchen fan installed - or those with broken or faulty fans - should seriously consider installing a kitchen fan sooner rather than later. Landlords and residential property owners must also make this a priority, especially as good ventilation is often outlined in government guidelines for landlords.
Fortunately, that’s where we come in! At World Copper Smith, our goal is to help our customers design kitchens that are not only beautiful but practical and efficient. After all, we believe that kitchens are one of the most important spaces within the home - and we’re here to help you make the most of the space that is available to you.
As a result, we offer a range of kitchen appliances, such as exhaust fans and range hoods, designed to elevate your design choices while also improving indoor air quality within your kitchen. Remember, a healthy home is a happy home.
If you’d like to see how any of our products or appliances will look in your home ahead of time - simply send us a customized quote, and we’ll send you a 3D-configured rendering of the product within twenty-four hours. This can make those all-important purchasing decisions that much easier, as you’ll have a better understanding of how well the appliance will fit into your kitchen!
With years of experience within the industry, all of our products are made from high-quality, durable materials which stand the test of time. Furthermore, we’re on hand every step of the way - whether you’re trying to choose the best fan for your kitchen or when it comes to installation and maintenance.
If you aren’t already convinced, you can see some of our previous work here or read some glowing reviews from our happy clients.
To find out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We look forward to hearing from you and are on hand to answer any questions you may have during this time.
