Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house. And, by now, it’s probably seen more than its fair share of family meals, meetings, and messes. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from years of outdoor kitchens, indoor kitchens, and everything in-between, it’s that fresh air is essential to an enjoyable and healthy cooking environment. Without it, humidity and odours are free to build up, causing a host of disagreeable results, from mould and mildew to dank, unpleasant air.
Fresh air, on the other hand, comes with a wide range of benefits. Fresh air makes us feel happier, helps strengthen the immune system, and is even good for the digestive system. Environments with fewer pollutants are also helpful in improving blood pressure and heart rate. And the extra oxygen that comes with fresh air results in higher brain functioning, enhanced concentration skills, and more energy, all qualities that are beneficial in the kitchen. So, what’s the best way to get fresh air flowing consistently through your kitchen?
It’s possible to improve the fresh air flow in your home by opening windows on opposite sides of the room to create a cross-breeze. But the best way to maximize that flow is by including skylights in your kitchen design. Energy-efficient skylights, like VELUX’s Fresh Air Skylights, open up to bring in fresh air that can help you control heating, cooling, and lighting costs.
When you install skylights, you can also utilize the stack effect with your traditional windows to create an excellent source of passive ventilation. The stack effect occurs when you open skylights and vertical windows at the same time. As warm, moist air rises, it escapes through the skylights while your vertical windows draw in cool, clean air.
The best way to ensure continuous air quality in your kitchen is to exhaust stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outside air. And with skylights, you can easily use fresh air and sunlight to create a happy, healthy environment where you’ll love to cook.
Enjoy your kitchen in a light, breezy new way!