Ventilation in your home
Ventilation is important for maintaining a good and healthy indoor environment. The air in your home needs to be regularly replaced, which is done through a ventilation system that brings in fresh air and removes used air.
Different solutions in the kitchen
Ventilation systems vary in our homes:
- In some kitchens, there is a cooker hood. This helps extract air and enhances ventilation while cooking. To achieve the best effect and capture cooking fumes, you may need to open a window while preparing food.
- In other kitchens, there is instead an exhaust vent – a ceiling or wall vent.
How the ventilation works
Fresh air in (supply air)
Air from outside enters the home through:
- Trickle vents – small openings above the windows. These should always remain open to allow air in.
- Wall vents – white covers with a grey control dial behind. You can adjust how much air is let in.
In winter, you might notice a draught from the vents. This is normal and means the ventilation is working.
Used air out (exhaust air)
Used air is extracted through:
- A cooker hood in the kitchen, if there is one.
- An exhaust vent in the kitchen, if there is no cooker hood.
- Exhaust vents in the bathroom and walk-in closet.
These vents are pre-set to ensure correct airflow and must not be closed or adjusted.
Three things to keep in mind
- Do not close the vents. If you close or block the vents, air will instead enter through gaps in walls or windows, which worsens the indoor climate.
- Clean the vents regularly. Gently vacuum the vents a couple of times per year to avoid obstructing airflow.
- Clean the grease filter in the cooker hood. If you have a cooker hood, remember to clean the grease filter regularly, ideally once a month. This improves ventilation and reduces the risk of fire.
Wall vent
Trickle vent
Exhaust vent
Does your home feel cold?
It may be the heating that needs adjustment. Read more about how the heating system works here.