Indoor climate in the kitchen
Your kitchen is one of the biggest indoor climate culprits
Every time we go to the kitchen and cook, we emit a lot of particles into our indoor air. A study from the Centre for Indoor Climate and Health in Housing (CISBO) shows that around 30% of particle pollution in a home comes from cooking. Especially when frying, baking and toasting bread, many particles are emitted to the indoor air.
In addition, particles from cooking spread throughout the home up to half an hour after switching off the hob, according to a study by Realdania. The greatest spread occurs in open-plan kitchens where the hob and extractor hood are placed on a kitchen island in the centre of the room.
In addition to particle pollution, a lot of moisture is also released into the indoor environment when cooking rice, potatoes or pasta, for example.
Why is particle pollution dangerous?
Particles are inhaled and settle in the trachea and lungs, which can lead to impaired lung function and cardiovascular disease.
Why do we need to get rid of moisture?
Although dampness in the home is not in itself harmful to the health of the occupants, it is important to get rid of it as mould and dust mites are dependent on moisture. For allergy and asthma sufferers, this can mean a worsening of their symptoms and illness.
Remember the cleaning
The kitchen is one of the most humid rooms in the home, so it's important to keep it cleaner than other rooms in the home, as mould is more likely to grow where there is dirt and moisture. Clean at least once a week and deep clean twice a year.
Tips for a good indoor climate when cooking:
- Use the cooker hood - switch it on 5 minutes before you start frying to create a slight negative pressure, which makes the suction work better.
- Remember there must be replacement air for what the hood extracts, for example via fresh air vents, open doors or windows.
- Close the door to the kitchen or other rooms in the home when using the oven, hob or cooker
- Use lids on the pots
- Open the window and ventilate. Preferably ventilate with a draught 5-10 minutes after you have finished cooking. If this is not possible, consider investing in a ventilation solution
- It can also be a good idea to use an outdoor gas grill, which can be just as effective as a frying pan. This keeps the particles out of the home and gives a feeling of summer and sunshine.
Sources: CISBO, Bolius & Realdania
Consider investing in a ventilation solution
To get rid of particles and moisture in your home, a ventilation system can be the solution. DUKA One is a ventilation solution that ventilates the room 24 hours a day. For 70 seconds, the system sucks out stale and moist air, storing heat in the unit's ceramic core. After 70 seconds, the system's motor reverses and blows in fresh air, which is heated by the ceramic core. This constantly changes the air, ventilating away particles and moisture and saving on heating bills as the heat in the home is recycled. DUKA One is mounted directly in the outer wall and can be installed wherever there is a need for ventilation.
