As you stay busy keeping your house clean and hygienic, spare some thought to the air quality, which also plays a crucial role in this. No wonder air purifiers are a huge hit. However, you often overlook the humble exhaust fan that can also help fight allergy-causing triggers in your house. Yes, you heard it right. The exhaust fan does not only remove malodors from your home. It helps in removing allergens that can cause allergies or respiratory issues. This article talks about the amazing work this often-ignored appliance does in your home.
How Does An Exhaust Fan Work?
The exhaust fan works on the negative air pressure. When the fan is switched on, the motor propels its blades at full speed. This rotation creates a suction that pushes out the stale air through the vent. Fresh air replaces this and improves the air quality of the area.
Breathe Easier: Role of Exhaust Fan in Reducing the Allergens
While you were busy looking for ways to improve the air quality in your house, the exhaust fan worked silently to get this done. Here’s how:
- Controlling Humidity
The rapid multiplication of allergen-causing particles occurs because of excessive moisture in bathrooms and kitchens. The exhaust fan removes moist air from the space and blocks all potential reasons for allergens to grow.
- Eliminates Dust and Pet Dander
Many people are allergic to dust and pet dander. When doors and windows are kept closed for a long time, these get trapped in your home. When the exhaust fan pulls out stale air, it also removes these particles and improves the air quality.
- Removes Cooking Fumes and Smoke
While cooking, burned food and oil emit grease and smoke particles. If your kitchen is not ventilated, they settle on the surfaces and also influence the air in your house. The kitchen exhaust fan sucks out smoke and fumes, making the air clean. This minimises the chances of any allergic reactions.
- Expelling Harmful Chemicals
The cleaning products that you use in the bathroom and kitchen contain chemicals and compounds that cause allergies. Turning on the exhaust fan while cleaning sucks out the chemicals and allergens. This is particularly useful in tiny spaces where fumes will become more concentrated.
- Pushing Out Pollens
Pollen causes breathing issues in many people. These can enter your home through open doors and windows or shoes and clothes. They settle on your furniture and can trigger your allergies. If you have an exhaust fan in the areas where the exchange can possibly take place, it prevents pollen buildup.
Selecting the Right Exhaust Fan for Maximum Benefit
An exhaust fan can assist in keeping the allergens in your house under control. But choosing the right one is everything. Here are some things you need to look out for when you buy exhaust fan:
- CFM Matter
CFM is cubic feet per minute. The CFM rating of an exhaust fan will tell you how much air it can shift. So, select a fan with a proper CFM rating based on the area size. Typically, you require 1 CFM per square foot of space.
- Air Delivery
This refers to the volume of stake air an exhaust fan can push out from an area. If the fan is capable of delivering a higher air delivery, it will draw less power and vice versa. Thus, if you require an exhaust fan for a bigger room, opt for one with higher air delivery.
- Energy Efficiency
The growing energy costs compel you to look for energy-efficient appliances. So, look for an exhaust fan with a star rating as they consume 70% less energy than the ones without any star rating.
Tips to Use Exhaust Fan Optimally to Reduce Allergens
While an exhaust fan can reduce the allergens in the air, follow these tips to give it an extra boost:
- Use it Regularly
To drive the allergens out of your house, use the exhaust fan in your kitchen and bathroom while showering or cooking. This keeps moisture and particle accumulation off the surfaces.
- Keep it Clean
As the exhaust fan blows out stale air, the dust and grease clog it and lower its effectiveness. Therefore, clean the vents and fan blades frequently to keep them in the best working condition.
- Proper Ventilation is a Must
Install the exhaust fan vents in such a way that they face outside into open air. This ensures the effective removal of the allergens. If the vent faces an inner area, it will recirculate the air back into your house.
Wrapping Up
The exhaust fan is a simple yet powerful appliance that removes allergens in the air. Thus, buying one will enable you to get rid of the particles that trigger your allergies. However, choose a device that will give you the best effect. Every time you switch on an exhaust fan, keep in mind that you are not just sucking out the stale air. You are making a safe space for you to breathe freely.
