Each modern apartment has its own ventilation system, which ensures the removal of exhaust air from the dwelling and the simultaneous intake of fresh air. Over time, the ventilation system channels become clogged and air cannot move there on its own. To restore normal air exchange in this case, an exhaust fan can be installed in the kitchen.
The importance of having good ventilation
Unlike the rest of the home, in the kitchen, in addition to various odors, the air mixture is also saturated with excess moisture and various combustion products. This not only impairs the comfort of staying there, but also leads to fogging of the windows, the walls can be covered with an unpleasant bloom.
If it is not possible to provide regular natural ventilation, the only option for ensuring the flow of clean air into the room is to use a fan in the kitchen.
When choosing such a technique, you must carefully select its performance. Too high a power reserve can lead to noticeable drafts, but its lack will not make it possible to ensure normal air exchange.
Fan types
Nowadays, the market offers a fairly wide selection of kitchen exhaust fans, all of which are divided into three categories:
- channel;
- window;
- wall.
A fan for a duct-type kitchen is installed directly inside the duct; it is hidden by an ordinary overhead grille. This type of kitchen fans is distinguished by a fairly high operating efficiency.
Window fans are rarely used these days. They are usually installed on outdated wooden windows. In the case of new plastic double-glazed windows, it will be necessary to order the manufacture of a special frame design, taking into account that a fan will be installed in it. However, in such a case, the exhaust device will provide a fairly effective removal of exhaust air from the room. To prevent cold air from entering the kitchen in winter, you will also need to install a check valve.
The wall fan for the kitchen is designed for installation in openings of a round or rectangular shape. Typically, such models are equipped with automation, which provides independent power management of the device, which makes it possible to significantly save energy.
Fan designs
Exhaust fans designed for use in the kitchen are divided into three types by their design:
- axial or axial exhaust structures, which are most common these days. They are distinguished by ease of installation, compactness and power, which is quite enough for use in the kitchen;
- radial or centrifugal, which are used mainly in industrial premises, since they have a rather bulky design;
- diametrical, most often used in restaurants and cafes, where several plates work simultaneously. They are distinguished by high power and work efficiency.
Selection Tips
In order to purchase a high-quality kitchen fan that can effectively cope with its functions, when choosing it, you should pay attention to its most important parameters, choosing them in accordance with your requirements.
Performance level
According to all standards, the exhaust system in the kitchen must have a performance that is about 10 times the volume of the room. So that the device does not constantly work at the limit of its capabilities, it is also worth adding 30% of the performance headroom. This is how the required power of the kitchen exhaust fan should be selected.
If the purpose of acquiring such equipment is simply to slightly improve the existing ventilation, then you need to choose low-power, inexpensive models.
Noisy at work
From the point of view of this parameter, it is best to choose such fans for the kitchen, which, during operation, “make noise” by a maximum of 30 dB, which is only slightly higher than the usual whisper of a person. In this case, a working appliance will never cause any discomfort to those who are in the kitchen. This technique usually has a motor that does not exceed 36 watts.
If the kitchen is part of the living space, then it is most advisable to choose low-speed models that almost do not create perceptible noise during operation.
Terms of Use
Since the air mixture in the kitchen is often quite perceptibly heated, the kitchen fan must be able to operate at high temperatures. It is especially important to pay attention to this property in the case when this device will be installed directly above the stove or in the immediate vicinity of it.
Such devices for normal functioning in the production process are covered with special compounds or films that have excellent heat-resistant properties. If they are absent, the fan, of course, will not start melting during operation, but the characteristic smell of burnt plastic can become noticeable.
Extra features
A significant part of the models of such air cleaning equipment can hardly be called ordinary fans, since manufacturers equip them with a large number of additional features. Among them:
- filter nets designed to capture fat particles from the air;
- controllers of the presence of a person in the room;
- timers that can be customized to your liking.
Whether such functions are needed in an ordinary kitchen fan is up to everyone to decide. It should be noted that any additional options in such a technique increase not only the convenience of its use, but also the cost of the devices.
Installation features
If you need to install a regular kitchen fan, you can do everything yourself, taking into account some of the nuances of such work:
- For maximum functionality and efficiency of the exhaust fan, the hole for its installation should be as high as possible, just under the ceiling.
- If the body of the device is round and the air duct opening is rectangular, there is a special adapter for aligning them, which sometimes comes directly in the kit to the unit; it can also be purchased separately.
- It is easiest to power the equipment from a lighting point located nearby. In this case, the wire that provides power must be hidden in a plastic groove.
The functionality of the appliance will be significantly improved if a small supply valve is installed in the window frame in the kitchen. Its presence will provide fresh air flow from the street instead of the waste removed by the fan.
Thus, the installation of an exhaust fan in the kitchen is a great opportunity to quickly remove the spent air mixture together with odors from the room, even without using the hood. This is achieved by improving the functioning of the ventilation duct.
