Breathe easy: How to improve indoor air quality at home

Wellness and personal wellbeing have become hot topics in recent years, with many of us focusing more on our physical and mental health. And while reducing stress, exercising more and eating better have tended to top many people’s health agendas, we’ve also become increasingly aware of the impact indoor air quality can have on our wellbeing.

When we spend more time indoors, such as during the winter months, we become more conscious of hygiene and how easily germs and viruses can spread in enclosed spaces. With indoor air pollution potentially being 3.5 times worse than outdoors, the air quality in our homes naturally becomes more important to us.

What causes indoor air pollution?

There are a number of things that can cause indoor air pollution, from damp, mould and dust, to pet dander, cleaning products, fires and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released from various household products and building materials. These include paint, furniture, carpets, aerosols and nail varnishes. VOCs are also produced when we cook and burn fires. Breathing all of this in over a long period of time can have a negative impact on our health, exacerbating respiratory problems and irritating the eyes, nose and throat. Very high exposure can cause headaches and nausea and even lead to more serious health conditions. 

How to make indoor air cleaner

Regularly opening your windows and ventilating rooms can help improve the air quality in your home. However, if you live in an urban area, wait until traffic has lessened so you don’t inadvertently increase your exposure to pollution. And make sure to keep an eye on the pollen count if you struggle with hay fever.

Vacuum cleaning frequently, especially if you have pets, can help keep dust down and using low or zero VOC paints when decorating will make a difference. Remember to always switch on your cooker hood when cooking as this will help to reduce odours and moisture in the kitchen and install an extractor in your bathroom to help get rid of steam. Those with allergies or respiratory problems may also want to consider investing in an air purifier, which can clean the air, and a dehumidifier to help stop the build-up of condensation.

Banish bacteria and viruses

Some modern extractor hoods are designed to help remove cooking vapours, grease particles and odours generated during everyday cooking. Air purifiers may also be used to support indoor air treatment, depending on the specific product and application.

When properly installed and maintained, extractor hoods can help reduce cooking-related odours and airborne particles in the kitchen. Certain models incorporate advanced filtration and air-treatment technologies designed to capture a range of airborne contaminants. In addition, some extractor hoods are engineered for low-noise operation to help minimise disruption during normal household activities.

With our Mythos Air Hub range, we have combined cooker hood extraction and air-treatment functions into a single appliance. In addition to helping remove cooking vapours and odours, the system incorporates UV-C technology designed to support air treatment within the kitchen environment.

Depending on the model configuration and operating conditions, the integrated air-treatment system has been tested to achieve up to 99.99% reduction of certain viruses and bacteria under specified test conditions. Any performance figures should be considered in the context of the applicable test methodology and instructions for use.

The air-treatment function operates independently from the extraction system and offers three operating modes: Manual, Intensive and Night. The range is available in T-Shape, Ceiling and Vertical designs to suit different kitchen layouts and preferences.

Perfect Sense

Keeping track of the air quality in your home can be tricky, which is why we introduced a smart cooker hood to do the hard work for you! Our AQ Sense Monitor extractor fan features an Air Quality Sensor that constantly monitors the VOCs, air temperature and humidity levels in your kitchen. When unsafe levels are detected, it will activate automatically to help restore fresh air. You can also get real-time updates on the quality of the air in your kitchen through the Franke Cloud app, where you can control its many functions using your phone or tablet. It even has a 24-hour ventilation option that will refresh the air for 10 minutes every single hour.

For further information about our range of air purifiers and hoods available, please go to our hoods page. 

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