Many people don’t realize that cooking can be a large source of indoor air pollution. Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide and other chemicals into the air. Plus, heating oils, fats and other ingredients can produce toxic fumes that can be harmful to people and pets. Fortunately, proper ventilation can remove air pollutants and improve the air quality in your home. Here are a few ways to enhance kitchen ventilation and reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants.
Install an exhaust fan. A hood fan, also known as an exhaust hood or range hood, is a unit that hangs above a kitchen stove and extracts air pollutants caused by cooking. A properly installed and ducted fan is the best way to filter out smoke and grease when you cook. These units are more effective when the air is vented outside instead of being filtered and recirculated.
Use the fan when you cook. Turn your hood fan on and keep it on. Many people don’t turn their fans on at all because they find them too noisy. The noise level of a fan is determined by how much air it can pull from a given space, also known as its cubic feet per minute (CFM) rating. If noise is an issue, look for a hood fan with low CFM.
Clean the fan filter often. Wash the filter on your hood fan regularly. If it has a metal mesh filter that you’ll need to remove. You can clean it with baking soda or dish soap.
Use the back burner. Some hood fans have a low capture efficiency. They may do a great job of collecting and expelling contaminants that are directly below them, but can be less effective at removing fumes that are outside the perimeter of the hood enclosure. By cooking on your stove’s back burners, directly under the fan, you can ensure maximum removal of smoke and grease.
Open your windows. Open multiple windows and doors to create a draft that pushes polluted air outside your home.
\Use additional fans. Install a window or oscillating fan to help remove stagnant air and bring fresh air in. Oscillating fans sometimes come with ionizing filters that can help with air purification.
Invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can remove up to 99.7 per cent of harmful air particles. However, you’ll need to make sure you regularly change the air filter.
Kitchen ventilation in Calgary
Harmony Heating & Air Conditioning offers residential and commercial ventilation services. We install, repair and maintain kitchen hood fans. We also offer deals and financing on the purchase of new hood fans. Contact us today to learn more about our services.