What Are the Benefits of Extractor Fans in the Kitchen?

Extractor fans are standard in almost every home up and down the UK. But how do they actually help, and does every kitchen need one? We are here to give you the answers to these questions and more.

In this blog, we will address the question ‘What are the benefits of extractor fans in the kitchen?’

With new buildings being made to be as energy efficient as possible, and the UK aiming for 95% of its electricity usage to be low carbon by 2030, it is imperative to understand how we can make the most of our ventilation. This is where heat recovery ventilation units come in.

To prevent mould, fresh air should constantly be introduced into your dwelling daily, as it helps to regulate temperature and reduce condensation. Introducing fresh air can be as simple as having a ventilation routine, or installing extractors or MVHR units. Almost all of this is facilitated by ducting.

What do extractor fans do?

An extractor fan is a device that is attached to a wall in the house, which intakes the air indoors, passes it through ducting in order to deposit it outside. Extractor fans work specifically to prevent humidity from depositing on cold surfaces, which becomes condensation, and eventually, mould.

Mould is a hazard in a home that can occur as a result of little to no ventilation or wet surfaces that are not dried. Mould thrives on wet, warm surfaces and can be extremely difficult to remove once it appears.

It appears in a range of colours from green, to brown and black. Mould also can cause or  contribute to a multitude of health issues, depending on your sensitivity to mould. This is known as mould sickness, and can severely affect your quality of life.

Does an extractor fan kill mould?

No. We must clarify that ventilation prevents mould, it does not destroy it.

If you want to get rid of mould permanently, you should use a mould surface cleaner, followed by an anti-mould paint. Anti-mould paint has fungicidal properties that prevent mould from growing on that surface for years.

It has the potential to remove the mould permanently, but that is only possible if the cause of the mould is addressed.

How long can you leave mould for before it impacts you?

Mould has the potential to influence you immediately. It is subject to how severe your mould allergy is. Some signs can be blatant, extreme, and obvious, such as sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, redness and itchy skin, which stops after you’ve left the mould infested area.

Other symptoms develop over time, this can include frequent bouts of illness, nausea, general weakness, hair loss. In any case, leaving the effects up to chance is not recommended. As soon as you find mould, remove it as soon as possible.

What are the benefits of extractor fans in the kitchen?