Room-by-Room: Best Ventilation Practices for Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Utility Spaces

Daily cooking releases steam, smoke, grease, and even gases from hobs and ovens. Without proper ventilation, these quickly settle as condensation on walls and windows.

Best Practices:

• Install a high-extraction cooker hood vented to the outside, not just a recirculating filter.
• Ensure trickle vents in windows remain open for background airflow.
• Consider continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) if the kitchen is open-plan or connected to a utility space.
• Keep doors closed while cooking to contain moisture, then ventilate the room.

Tip: Avoid ducting a kitchen extractor through cold loft spaces without insulation—it increases condensation risk in the duct itself.

Showers and baths can put litres of water into the air—the main source of black mould in most homes.

Best Practices:

• Install an extractor fan sized for your bathroom (15--30 litres/sec), ideally on a timer or humidity sensor for automatic operation.
• Position fans as far from the door as possible, near the main moisture source (shower/bath).
• Wipe down surfaces after showers and keep the door shut while in use; open a window or run the fan afterward.
• Regularly clean or replace extractor fan filters to maintain efficiency.

Tumble dryers, indoor drying of clothes, and boiler rooms all add hidden moisture loads.

Best Practices:

• Vent dryers directly outdoors, or use a heat pump condenser dryer with good room ventilation.
• For spaces without windows, install a dedicated extractor or ensure sufficient passive airflow.
• Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity---if above 60%, consider upgrading ventilation.
• Prevent clutter and avoid blocking air bricks or vents with storage.

• Maintain background ventilation (trickle vents, air bricks) throughout your home---don't block them, even in winter.
• Consider a whole-house system (MVHR, MEV, or PIV) for year-round consistent air quality, especially in modern, airtight or renovated properties.
• Balance extraction and supply: For every room with extraction, ensure there's a source of fresh incoming air.

Mould, damp, and poor air quality can devalue your home, cause costly repairs, and compromise health—especially in vulnerable family members. Proper, targeted ventilation makes all the difference.

Need expert advice or a tailored ventilation solution? Contact Flexivent today—protecting every room, every season, for peace of mind and a healthier home.